CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet proves long-term success in weight loss journey

A newly published paper in the Journal of Medical Internet Research highlights the long-term effectiveness of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online, showing that members who engage consistently with the platform can achieve clinically significant weight loss after 12 months.

The science is in: real-world results show clinically significant weight loss after 12 months on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

This published paper, conducted in partnership between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Digital Wellness, analysed the weight loss outcomes of 6,500 Australian adults who remained on the program for at least one year.

Key findings from the study:

2 in 3 members lost at least 5% cent of their starting body weight by 12 months, while 1 in 3 lost at least 10% of their starting weight.

The study identified the most common weight loss patterns, each including at least one three-month plateau:

• 15% of members lost weight for 6 months, then maintained their weight for a further 6 months, resulting in an average 11kg weight loss after a year (12% of their starting body weight)
  
  
• 11% lost weight in the first 3 months, then maintained for 9 months, losing 5 kg after a year (nearly 6% of their starting body weight)
  
  
• 9% lost weight for 9 months, followed by 3 months of maintenance, resulting in an average 16 kg loss (17 % of their starting body weight).

Why this matters:

With obesity rates on the rise – 66% of Australian adults are now classified as overweight or obese – evidence-based, scalable solutions are more critical than ever. The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet stands out not only for its scientifically formulated higher-protein, low-GI eating plan but also for its ability to drive long-term behaviour change through a digital platform.

““The study gives hope to anyone who has ever felt disheartened throughout their weight loss journey. The reality is weight loss isn’t linear. Periods of maintenance and small regains are normal - but with persistence, meaningful results can happen” said Dr Gilly Hendrie, Lead Research Scientist at CSIRO.

Sarah lost 83 kgs*

For Sarah, understanding that setbacks were part of the process was key to her 83 kg* (Individual results may vary) weight loss on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet. A serious neck injury left her fearful of exercise, and during the pandemic, limited movement and disrupted routines led to weight gain. But she refused to let temporary challenges define her.

“It’s not just about the numbers on the scale. It’s about how you feel, your relationship with food, and how you show up for yourself. Progress isn’t about being perfect, it’s about moving forward.”

Engagement and behaviour change drive results

One of the most significant insights from this study is the positive relationship between platform engagement and weight loss success. Members who consistently tracked their food intake, logged their weight, and utilised platform features were able to maintain weight loss over time. For members who logged in consistently, average weight loss at 12 months was as high as 22.3 kg – or 21.7% of their starting body weight.

Shaping the future of digital health

As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, digital health solutions like the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet offer an accessible, evidence-based approach to improving public health outcomes. This published paper provides further validation that a personalised, digitally supported weight loss program can drive sustainable behaviour change, with benefits extending beyond weight loss to improved health and wellbeing.

Read the full published paper here

Get in touch to help your members thrive

We’re proud to partner with health funds and organisations across Australia to deliver innovative, evidence-based programs that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. From hospital cover to member benefits, our programs are designed to support your members’ health while enhancing engagement and retention.

Visit our Health Fund Hub to learn more about how we work with partners to deliver real results. If you’d like to explore how we can help your members achieve their health goals, we’d love to hear from you.

Proudly partnering  with leading Australian health funds to offer their members the benefits of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet