, 2005). There are no storage considerations, either, since there is no tangible product (Dansinger, et al., 2005). The Weight Watchers dinners and prepackaged food that are offered have storage considerations, though, because it must be warehoused and then shipped off to stores that request it and put it on their shelves (Dansinger, et al., 2005). Since these foods are not required for the program, though, it is difficult to classify these foods as part of the program for purposes of storage considerations.

Transportation and Meetings

There are also no transportation methods used, with the exception of the Weight Watchers brand foods, which the people in the program are not obligated to purchase. That also helps them to perform better logistically because they are not required to keep inventory on hand. The real issue with place for many of the Weight Watchers clients is finding a meeting near them, and these meetings can be sporadic. Generally, however, a city with a larger population will have more meeting opportunities (Weight Watchers, 2009).

People who live in rural areas or who are self-conscious and do not want to come to meetings can go online and 'meet' that way - that stops any problems with feeling awkward or locating a meeting nearby (Weight Watchers, 2009). It can, though, make people feel more isolated, since they do not get out and go to meetings with others. These people may not remain as motivated as those who meet in person regularly, so there is a consideration there, as well (Dansinger, et al., 2005).

What is taking place with Weight Watchers has much more to do with the company's online presence and the Internet presence that it offers. There is no specific place there, with the exception of the in person meetings in many cities and towns. These are not required, though, and people who do not want to attend them can either attend meetings online or can simply not go to the meetings. As long as the fees and dues are paid, a person who does not attend meetings will remain in the program and can continue to lose weight at his or her own pace and in a way that is comfortable.
Bibliography

Dansinger, Michael L.; Gleason, Joi Augustin; Griffith, John L.; Selker, Harry P.; Schaefer, Ernst J. (2005). Comparison of the Atkinds, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for weight loss and heart disease risk reduction: A randomized trial. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association (American Medical Association) 293 (1): 43-53.

Heshka, Stanley; Anderson, James W.; Atkinson, Richard L.; Greenway, Frank L.; Hill, James O.; Phinney, Stephen D.; Kolotkin, Ronette L.; Miller-Kovach, Karen; Pi-Sunyer, F. Xavier (2003). Weight loss with self-help compared with a structured commercial program: A randomized trial. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association (American Medical Association) 289 (14): 1792-1798.

Weight Watchers. (2009). Home Page. http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx