Professional background of therapist Training of therapist Assessment of therapist’s competence Fidelity checking of intervention Programme Characteristics Group or individual Duration of sessions, frequency, programme length and setting Content of sessions Successful group members selected through interview process. No formal qualifications required prior to training and selection. 4 visits to meetings to observe and deliver elements, admin workshop; 3 day residential workshop; Further 4 meetings delivering practical elements, one admin workshop. Group. 1-2-1 for new members and when weighed. Group talk from leader with discussion. 1 hour sessions. 12 weekly sessions provided as part of Lighten Up. Community based venues. Core programme material delivered over 5-weeks: food points system (based on age, gender, height, weight & activity), beating hunger, taking more physical activity, eating out and keeping motivated. Other sessions delivered to whole group cover recipes, health and nutrition and keeping active. Jolly et al. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:439 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/439 Table 1 Characteristics of weight management programmes Weight Watchers Slimming World Rosemary Conley NHS Size Down Group. 1-2-1 when weighed. Group used to share progress and lapses and to find and share solutions. 1 1/2 hour sessions. 12 weekly sessions provided as part of Lighten Up. Access to website, magazines and 1-2-1 telephone support from consultant or other members. Community based venues. Encouraged to eat mainly low energy dense foods to achieve satiety, plus some extras rich in calcium and fibre, with controlled amounts of high energy dense foods. Group. 1-2-1 when Group. Group used to weighed and to share progress and establish calorie lapses and to find and allowance. share solutions. All Also, additional support group members start in available via email/ same week and progress telephone 1-2-1. as a closed group. 1 1/2 hours 12 weekly sessions provided as part of Lighten Up. Community based venues. Weight loss and improved diet, fitness and improvement of physical condition, motivation and self esteem, use of group support. Use of portion pots. Motivational video. 2 hour duration; groups weekly × 6 weeks; drop-in at 9 and 12 weeks. Community based venues. All group members start in same week and progress as a closed group. Managing behaviour around food and relapse prevention; eatwell plate [25]; nutrition information; interactive style used. Planning strategies to deal with lapses into previous dietary behaviours. Assessed by area Completion of training manager, who has course and 4 diploma observed all training exams. Observations at sessions apart from 3-day 1st and 6th sessions workshop. (minimum); twice yearly development visits by manager. Regular observations by Weekly planning and area service manager. training phone call with Buddy system during first manager; regular year. observations of groups. Monitoring of retention to group, weight loss achieved. Weight Watchers Slimming World Rosemary Conley NHS Size Down Successful group members selected through interview process. No formal qualifications required prior to training and selection. 4 day foundation training course; 4 advanced training courses. Varied, may be Food advisors recruited successful slimmers. No from local community. formal qualifications No formal qualifications required prior to required prior to training training and selection. and selection. OCR Exercise to music training. Certificate in applied nutrition and weight management. Business management and marketing. Attendance at annual training conferences and convention. NVQ level 3, 12 × 2.5 hour training sessions from dieticians and nutritionists. 18 assessments. Theoretical papers and Observed running practical assessment by session prior to passing independent body. the course. Assessed taking class once started. Annual business review. Mystery shoppers used. Monthly supervision Random checks. meetings. Observed during the training course by leader e.g. Q&A, mock- interviewing. None. Page 4 of 8 General practice/ pharmacy GP: practice nurse or general practitioner Pharmacy: pharmacist 2 day adult weight management course. General practice/ pharmacy Individual 1st session 30 minutes, follow up sessions 15-20 minutes 12 weekly sessions provided as part of Lighten Up - although may not have taken place weekly in all cases. In surgery or pharmacy. Sessions client led and based around a problem solving approach. Weight and dieting history; exploration of goals & expectations of patients; eatwell plate; setting goals to reduce calorie intake & increase physical activity. Planning strategies to deal with challenging situations. Use of food diaries. Maintaining weight loss