A new study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, has found that people who use meal plans lose more weight, according to Medical Xpress.
A study of nearly 78,000 participants in the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet found significant differences in outcomes depending on how consistently people followed their diet plan.
The study found that participants who used meal plans most frequently lost an average of 6.4 kg over 12 weeks—24% more than those who used them less often.
Meanwhile, participants who used their meal plans most frequently in the early stages of the program lost 6.9 kg after a year—48% more than those who used them the least.
To gain deeper insight into members’ experiences with meal planning, an additional survey of 1,300 past and present CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet members found that 90% of those who achieved their weight-loss goals used the meal plan. In addition, 89% of members who lost more than 10 kilograms in 12 weeks said that having a meal plan was crucial to their success.
Among members who did not lose weight, 72% believed they would have been more successful if meal plans had been tailored to their preferences and lifestyles.
CSIRO research scientist Dr. Gilly Hendrie said the findings highlight both the power of meal planning and the opportunity for further innovation.
“This research shows just how powerful meal planning can be. It provides guidance on what to eat and helps build the habit of planning ahead, which we know is essential for long-term weight-loss success,” Dr. Hendrie said. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss, and that’s where personalization can make a real difference.”
In response to the findings, the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet has launched a new AI-powered, personalized meal-planning tool called My Plan.
My Plan creates meal plans tailored to each member’s individual needs, taking into account likes, dislikes, allergies, intolerances, and eating styles. It also supports specific health conditions, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, as well as life stages like menopause. In addition, the tool learns and evolves over time, becoming increasingly personalized with use.
