Weight Watchers Spikes, Indiana University School Of Medicine Publishes Favorable Findings

Shares of Weight Watchers International, Inc. WTW spiked higher by more than 7 percent on Friday after Indiana University School of Medicine researchers detailed results of a study that supports and validates the effectiveness of its programs.

According to the researchers, adults with prediabetes who participated in a nationally-available weight management program with a prediabites-specific component, such as Weight Watchers, lost "significantly more weight and experienced better blood glucose control than those following a self-initiated program using supplemental counseling materials."

The researchers concluded that nationally available weight loss programs can be "a powerful tool" for the tens of millions of Americans who suffer from prediabetes.

"The findings suggest that Weight Watchers, a widely-available, empirically-validated weight management program, could significantly expand access to effective diabetes prevention programs," said lead investigator Dr. David Marrero, J.O. Ritchey Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine.

"The flexibility of the Weight Watchers model – with curriculum available online and at various locations, days and times throughout the week – is compelling to those who need flexibility to accommodate today's busy lifestyle."