Health clubs and PTs looking to improve the outcome of weight-loss programmes might think about adding a virtual element to their websites.

Online weight-loss programmes with weekly meetings could be as successful, if not more so, than those delivered in health clubs according to scientists at Indiana University in the US.

The 12-week study focused on people taking part in two different weight-loss programmes - one involving typical health club meetings where members met for at least four hours a week, the other involving equivalent sessions in a 3D virtual world.

Both groups lost similar amounts of fat and weight, but the online group changed their behaviours more than the face-to-face group - they reportedmore positive changes in healthy eating and physical activity measures.