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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Aug;37 Suppl 1(0 1):S25-30.
doi: 10.1038/ijo.2013.93.

The impact of a primary care-based weight loss intervention on the quality of life

D B Sarwer  1 , R H Moore, L K Diewald, J Chittams, R I Berkowitz, M Vetter, S Volger, T A Wadden; POWER-UP Research Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The impact of a primary care-based weight loss intervention on the quality of life

D B Sarwer et al. Int J Obes (Lond). 2013 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated changes in the quality of life of men and women who participated in a primary care-based weight loss intervention program.

Methods: Participants were enrolled in a 2-year randomized clinical trial (POWER-UP) conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and in six affiliated primary care practices. Inclusion criteria included the presence of obesity (body mass index of 30-50 kg m(-2)) and at least two components of the metabolic syndrome.

Main outcome measures: Quality of life was assessed by three measures: the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12); the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite; and the EuroQol-5D.

Results: Six months after the onset of treatment, and with a mean weight loss of 3.9 ± 0.3 kg, participants reported significant improvements on all measures of interest with the exception of the Mental Component Score of the SF-12. These changes remained significantly improved from baseline to month 24, with the exception of the EuroQol-5D. Many of these improvements were correlated with the magnitude of weight loss and, for the most part, were consistent across gender and ethnic group.

Conclusions: Individuals with obesity and components of the metabolic syndrome reported significant improvements in most domains of the quality of life with a modest weight loss of 3.7% of initial weight, which was achieved within the first 6 months of treatment. The majority of these improvements were maintained at month 24, when participants had lost 3.0% of their weight.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

David Sarwer discloses that he has relationships with the following companies: Allergan, BaroNova, Enteromedics, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and Galderma. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest. Thomas Wadden serves on the advisory boards of Novo Nordisk and Orexigen Therapeutics, which are developing weight loss medications, as well as of Alere and the Cardiometabolic Support Network, which provide behavioral weight loss programs.

References

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