Innovative, online automated obesity treatment program shows weight-loss results

Preliminary evidence indicates that a fully automated online behavioral obesity treatment program may serve as a viable resource in a primary care environment. obesity journal.

“Our study shows that primary care clinicians can help patients who want to lose weight by offering an automated online program based on behavioral science. This program is very low cost. Does not burden busy healthcare providers, “says Dr. J. Graham Thomas. D., Thomas, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University Warren Alpart Medical School and deputy director of the Center for Weight Management and Diabetes Research at Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI, is the corresponding author of this study. ..

Experts point out that primary care is often the first place to deal with obesity, but primary care clinicians often have few resources to provide weight loss to patients. When weight loss resources are available, they are often expensive and can be accompanied by other barriers that make them difficult to access, such as the requirements for frequent clinic visits. Previous trials of behavioral obesity treatment offered in primary care settings usually involve intensive researchers to provide treatment and / or to maintain participation of participants in research studies. Accompanied. The current study is the first one in which a fully automated obesity treatment program has been practically tested in a large primary care network by clinicians responsible for patient identification, program delivery, and support for its use. It is one.

As part of routine primary care, a healthcare provider and 16 nurse care managers named Rx Weight Loss (RxWL) to 1,765 patients at Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corp., a primary care practice organization. We provided a free online obesity treatment program. This includes about 60 medical treatments by 100 doctors. Patients aged 18-75 years had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg / m or higher.² And internet access. The majority of the 464 patients who eventually enrolled in the program and engaged in treatment were whites and women. 2 percent of samples identified as Hispanic or Latino, and Black / African American. The program included 12 weekly online sessions, a self-monitoring program, and automatic feedback.

The average weight loss for 12 weeks was 5.10%. Researchers say that most e-health obesity treatments report an average weight loss of 2.5% in initial weight over 12 or 24 weeks.

Patients who reported weight over all 12 weeks achieved an estimated weight loss of 7.2%, compared to 3.4% of patients who submitted less frequently. Patients who accessed all 12 video lessons achieved an estimated weight loss of 8% compared to 4.2% of patients who accessed fewer lessons. BMI, gender, or identity with racial / ethnic minority groups was not associated with these measures of involvement, but age was associated with more lessons.

A study by Thomas and colleagues “proposes a highly innovative model of behavioral weight management that may address some of the barriers encountered in primary care,” says Perelmann Psychiatry Weight and Diet. Dr. Thomas A. Wadden of the Eating Disorders Center said. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Adam H. Gilden School of Medicine, MSCE, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center and Colorado University School of Medicine Aurora School of Medicine, commentary on the program. Wadden and Gilden had nothing to do with the study.

The authors of the study will determine whether further studies are due to the disproportionately small number of men and racial / ethnic minorities enrolled in this program due to the patient characteristics found in these practices. I am observing that it will be useful. Lack of interest in the program, or the weight loss expressed by these patients. Efforts to increase initial involvement in the program will help determine the effectiveness of the program in patients who may be less motivated to lose weight.

Other authors of this study include Emily Panza, Harry M. Esper Finn, Curly M. Goldstein, Kevin O’Leary, Lena R. Wing, Weight Management and Diabetes Research Center, Miriam Hospital, Psychiatry. And the human department. Behavior, Brown University Warren Alpart Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island; Noah Benedict, Road Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation, Cranston, RI; Albert, Brown University Warren Alpart Medical School and Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation, Department of Home Medicine J. Puerini.

A study entitled “Practical Implementation of Fully Automated Online Obesity Treatment in Primary Care” will be published in print in August 2022.