New Study Shows NutriSystem Is The Cheapest
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008As consumers tighten their belts on spending, a new study indicates major differences in the costs of the nation’s leading weight loss programs. An independent cost analysis conducted by National Business Research Institute, Inc. (“NBRI”) studied the overall cost to consumers of seven (7) leading programs: Alli, Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss Centers, NutriSystem, Slim-Fast, Weight Watchers (Center and Online) and The Zone.
The research considered the overall costs for each program including registration fees, weekly/monthly fees, renewal fees, counseling fees, online fees, pre-packaged food costs, grocery costs, and recommended supplement costs. The study also specifically reviewed food costs such as pre-packaged foods, supplements and grocery items such as produce, meat and dairy as recommended by each program.
The analysis found that the NutriSystem Advanced Women’s Program, using the commonly used auto-delivery option, had the lowest overall monthly program costs. According to the study, NutriSystem’s monthly costs for pre-packaged food were $293.72 and $198.40 for supplemental grocery items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and grains for a total monthly cost of $492.12. NutriSystem does not charge any fees for membership, counseling, newsletters, e-classes or access to their community site.
Alli was the most expensive program with a total monthly cost of $870.11, more than 76 percent higher than the lowest priced program. Alli offers a self-managed program that centers on the use of the FDA-approved weight loss drug, Alli, which is available without a prescription, along with online support, weekly meal plans and grocery items.
“When it comes to weight loss programs, our analysis reveals a great disparity in costs as consumers consider the program that is right for them,” said Jan Stringer West, Ph.D., Organizational Psychologist, President & Chief Executive Officer of National Business Research Institute, Inc. “Based upon which program you choose, the nationwide increase in the price of produce, meats, dairy and grains has a significant impact on overall monthly costs. As consumers reduce discretionary spending, the costs of these programs may weigh heavier on their decisions.”
According to the NBRI Cost Analysis Study:
- Alli, a self-managed program, had overall monthly program costs of $870.11;
- Jenny Craig, a center-based or online program, had overall monthly costs of $812.23;
- Weight Watchers, the center-based program, had overall monthly costs of $699.69;
- Weight Watchers, the online program, had overall monthly costs of $686.64;
- The Zone, a self-managed program, had overall monthly costs of $617.62;
- Slim Fast, a self-managed program, had overall monthly costs of $609.68;
- LA Weight Loss Centers, a center-based program, had overall monthly costs of $582.34;
- NutriSystem, an online program, had overall monthly costs of $492.12.
