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New Weight Watchers formula: data in action
By WDavidStephenson | January 2, 2012
The current issue of Wired has a great feature on the value of data that’s particularly timely as TV is flooded with ads for weight loss programs in the wake of holiday over-indulgence: how Weight Watchers dared to tamper with the success of its Points system.
It substituted Points Plus, which factored in some of the latest nutrition science (a given food’s “thermic effect” and “energy density) in a more complex algorithm that “distinguishes among calories and ascribes values to a given good based on its makeup of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fat.”
The new formula means that Weight Watchers now get more “points” to build their diets around, while it also penalizes processed foods and even distinguishes, for example, between OJ (which costs you points), versus oranges, which don’t, because they include a lot of food per calorie and also contain fiber.
The program continues the classic Weight Watchers’ emphasis on social support through weekly meetings (or their online equivalent) and techno-ad ons such as an iPhone app, but the company believes the new formula will lead to more sustained weight loss.
The story underscores an important fact about data: it’s not immutable, but requires continual re-examination in light of new science, and, most important, advances in monitoring data (i.e., the quantum leaps that will be possible with The Internet of Things and ubiquitous monitoring).
Now back to fulfilling that New Year’s Resolution of shedding another 15 lbs…..
Topics: Quantified Self, data, data dynamite, technology | |
