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A randomized clinical trial of a weight loss maintenance intervention in a primary care population
Author(s) -
Tsai Adam G.,
Felton Sue,
Wadden Thomas A.,
Hosokawa Patrick W.,
Hill James O.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21224
Subject(s) - medicine , weight loss , randomization , randomized controlled trial , population , primary care , weight management , body weight , physical therapy , obesity , family medicine , surgery , environmental health
Objective In‐person weight loss maintenance visits have been shown to reduce weight regain after initial weight loss. This study examined, in a primary care population, whether in‐person visits plus portion‐controlled meals were more effective in reducing 12‐month weight regain than mailed materials plus portioncontrolled meals. Methods Study participants ( n = 106) received 6 months of intensive behavioral treatment. Participants who completed this phase ( n = 84) were then randomized to continue monthly in‐person visits for weight loss maintenance as well as telephone calls between visits (“intensified maintenance”) or to receive materials by mail (“standard maintenance”). All participants had access to subsidized portion‐controlled foods during the 6‐month run‐in and the 12 months of maintenance. The primary outcome was weight change during the 12 months after randomization. Results During months 0‐12 after randomization, individuals assigned to standard maintenance regained 5.3% ± 0.8% of body weight, while those assigned to intensified maintenance regained 1.6% ± 1.2% of body weight. The difference between groups (3.7% ± 1.4%) was statistically significant ( P = 0.01). Conclusions In a primary care population, continued in‐person visits during the weight loss maintenance phase led to greater weight loss than contact by mail.