A University of Michigan study comparing a comprehensive weight loss program including obesity experts against the usual care for high-risk patients shows higher use of evidence-based treatments and more weight lost
Giving high risk patients access to an obesity specialist through their regular primary care clinic increased their chances of receiving at least one evidence-based weight-management treatment and led to more weight lost in just a year, a University of Michigan study found.
Primary care clinicians commonly struggle to help patients develop an individualized weight-management treatment plan during short clinic visits.
Previous U-M research showed that most primary care patients with obesity do not lose at least 5% of their body weight, a goal that’s been shown to reduce obesity-related health risks.
The study shows that on average, patients who enrolled during the first year of the program lost about 12 pounds, or about 4.4% of their body weight, in the year after they received an individualized obesity treatment plan from an obesity specialist.
On average, all the patients started with a body mass index around 40 kg/m2.
To qualify for the program, patients have to have a BMI above 30 kg/m2 and have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Over 40% of those in whose care including an obesity specialist lost at least 5% of their body weight, a goal that’s been shown to reduce obesity-related health risks.
In comparison, less than 20% of similar patients under typical primary care lost at least 5% of their body weight.
In addition, 22% of patients in the program lost at least 10% of their body weight compared to less than 4% of similar patients.
Having an obesity specialist work as part of a collaborative team to evaluate patients, help them understand their options, including potential costs, and act as a gateway to specialized care and primary care follow-up, is a model that is highly recommended on the basis of this study and others.
