A Developmental Pilot Study for a Weight Management Program for Obese Primary Care Patients

Background: Poor diet choice and lack of physical activity has led to high rates of obesity in the United States. Despite this, physicians are reluctant to communicate the risk factors of obesity with their patients. The Affordable Care Act is encouraging obesity prevention measures by rewarding physicians who incorporate weight management behavioral counseling in their practice. Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Model has been used in prior studies as a weight management counseling method. However, the attrition rate in weight management programs is still high.Objectives: To implement a pilot study for weight management that increases participant retention rate as well as participant weight loss utilizing the Transtheoretical Model and by maintaining weekly contact with participants.Methods: Nineteen obese adult patients from Jefferson’s Family Medicine were enrolled in a weight management pilot study and followed for 3 months. At baseline participant’s social demographic information was documented and health records were added. In addition, a formal assessment of each participant’s stage of change with respect to physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, and fat intake was initiated and a personal action plan was created. A four week action plan was developed by the participant. The counselor made weekly contact through participant’s choice of telephone calls, text messages, or email to reinforce and support each participant’s efforts. At three months the participant met with the counselor for a follow-up visit to reassess goals and document physical changes.Results: There were 19/62 (32%) referred patients who were enrolled in the study. At 3 months 16/19 (84%) remained in the program (95% CI: 0.604-0.966, p=.0001). Patients lost on average 2 kg and 2.2% of their body weight. All patients remained obese except one patient who dropped to 29.7 kg/m2.Conclusion: The pilot project was successful based on the retention rate and weight loss.M.P.H., Public Health -- Drexel University, 201