Family Physician-Led Group Visits for Lifestyle Modification in Women with Weight Problems: A Pilot Intervention and Follow-Up Study

• Published in: Obesity facts 2018-01, Vol.11 (1), p.1-14
• Main Authors: Tunay, Merthan, Kurdak, Hatice, Özcan, Sevgi, Özdemir, Çiğdem, Özer, Zeliha Yelda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Atherosclerosis; Behavior Therapy - methods; Body mass index; Body Weight - physiology; Chronic illnesses; Diet; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Family physician; Feasibility Studies; Female; Fitness training programs; Follow-Up Studies; Food; Group medical visits; Health behavior; Health care; Heart rate; High density lipoprotein; Humans; Intervention; Leadership; Life Style; Lifestyles; Meetings; Middle Aged; Nutrition research; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - psychology; Obesity - therapy; Obesity management; Office Visits; Overweight; Overweight - complications; Overweight - psychology; Overweight - therapy; Physical fitness; Physician's Role; Physicians; Physicians, Family; Pilot Projects; Plasma; Primary care; Problem solving; Psychotherapy, Group - methods; Quality of Life; Research Article; Self-Help Groups; Thyroid gland; Weight control; Weight Loss - physiology; Womens health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1662-4025; 1662-4033
• DOI: 10.1159/000486133

Objective: Lifestyle modification requires extensive information sharing and counseling. However, one-on-one primary care consultations are lacking to cover all necessary components due to time constraints. This preliminary study aims to investigate the feasibility and effects of lifestyle-changing intervention by family physician-led group visits (GVs) on weight management in overweight and obese women. Methods: 60 volunteers fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Baseline and 6th month assessments consisted of anthropometric measurements, SF-36 Health Survey, blood variables, exercise test, and resting metabolic rate. Weight maintenance was controlled at the 12th month. Results: Although weight loss among participants varied, the mean body weights were significantly decreased by 8.2% in full-attenders (n = 30). A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol and decreases in heart rate and blood pressure were found. SF-36 summary scales were significantly improved. Weight change was moderately correlated with exercise duration, compliance to diet, and baseline mental component score. It was determined that 62.5% of the participants either lost or maintained body weight at the 12th month. Conclusion: Significant weight loss and quality of life improvement was achieved in this pilot study. GVs may be a promising alternative to primary care consultations for obesity management; however, the high dropout level and diverse outcomes need further assessment.