TOPS Club, Inc. is a nonprofit, noncommercial weight- loss support organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, with chapters located worldwide. Its two-fold objective is to encourage healthy lifestyles through weight management support groups and to sponsor obesity research. Most members refer to the organization simply as "TOPS", an acronym for Take Off Pounds Sensibly.
TOPS was originally formed in 1948 by Esther Manz, as a response to the need to assist overweight and obese people lose weight by setting up a support group system. Over the years, as more weight management problems such as bulimia and anorexia became widely recognized in medicine, TOPS expanded their scope to include all people with weight problems. They also created an incentive for club members who reach and maintain their weight at their goal level to stay in the club as KOPS (Keeps Off Pounds Sensibly) members -- giving them extra recognition to help encourage other members in the club.
Club meetings emphasize nutrition and exercise education focused on supplementing a member's effort to manage their weight. TOPS also has published education material for its members.
