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. 2020 Dec:40:125-132.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.10.002. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

A longitudinal study to investigate the effects of a 12-week comprehensive lifestyle weight management program on body weight and quality of life

Annette Langan  1 , Abeer Bader  2 , Sonja Goedkoop  1 , Susan Cummings  1 , Marianne Tsikitas  1 , Isadora Nogueira  1 , Karen J Campoverde Reyes  3 , Fatima Cody Stanford  4
Affiliations

A longitudinal study to investigate the effects of a 12-week comprehensive lifestyle weight management program on body weight and quality of life

Annette Langan et al. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Background & aims: The majority of Americans now have overweight or obesity. With limited resources to treat all patients, group programs are emerging as an efficient method for dissemination of evidence-based lifestyle information. The objective of this study was to evaluate change in body weight, biochemical parameters, and quality of life among individuals after completion of a 12-week comprehensive group weight management program at an obesity medicine clinic.

Methods: 204 patients were recruited for the study after enrolling in the Healthy Habits for Life program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center in Boston and Danvers, MA. Prior to the program, patients met individually with a dietitian and baseline data was collected. Primary outcome measures collected were weight and BMI change over the course of the program. Secondary measures collected included biochemical parameters and quality of life. Weekly group visits consisted of primary outcome collection and 1.5 h of instruction on various lifestyle- and nutrition-related topics. Secondary outcome measures were reassessed at an individual visit with the dietitian after the program concluded.

Results: 142 participants were adherent to the protocol (attended 9 out of 12 classes). On average, patients lost 6.4 kg (14.1 lbs.), representing a percent total body weight loss of over 5%. Average BMI decrease was significant at 5.35 ± 4.61%. Improvements were seen in physical function, self-esteem, and sexual life; total QOL scores also improved by a significant 5.79% on average. There were also significant improvements in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HbA1c.

Conclusions: The Healthy Habits for Life group program was an effective treatment for obesity and related health concerns, including overall quality of life. Group programs of this style may be a more efficient was to disseminate evidence-based lifestyle information and affect change for patients with overweight or obesity.

Keywords: Group nutrition education; Intensive lifestyle intervention; Lifestyle weight management; Metabolic health; Overweight/obesity; Registered dietitian.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Flow diagram of the HHL program process Abbreviations: Healthy Habits for Life (HHL); Registered Dietitian (RD); Anti-obesity Medications (AOM)
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Flow diagram of patients’ participation in the study Abbreviations: Healthy Habits for Life (HHL); Registered Dietitian (RD)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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