Change of body weight and lifestyle of persons at risk for diabetes after screening and counselling in pharmacies

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of pharmacy based counselling on changes in lifestyle and body weight.

Methods: Three months after screening a stratified sample of 3,800 randomly chosen overweight persons were addressed with questionnaires. Half a year and 1 year later the assessment was repeated. Standard counselling (SC; non-specific recommendations towards lifestyle), intensive counselling (IC; additional advice to reduce body weight) and counselling for persons at high risk for type 2 diabetes (HRC; recommendation to contact a physician) were compared.

Results: All counselling groups (SC; n = 557, IC; n = 568, HRC; n = 245) showed significant weight loss three months after screening (0.6-1.9 kg). A further weight reduction was observed at 1 year follow up (1.1-2.4 kg). The HRC group showed a higher percentage of weight loss than the IC or SC group after 3 months (-2.25% vs. -1.20% and -0.67%; P < 0.001) and at 1 year of follow-up (-2.74% vs. -1.54% and -1.29%; P < 0.01). Lifestyle changes in physical activity and/or nutrition were reported by 81.2% in the HRC group, 74.1% in the IC group and 67.0% in the SC group.

Conclusion: Immediate counselling in community pharmacies after screening for type 2 diabetes can result in significant lifestyle changes and weight loss in overweight individuals.