Study to Promote Weight Loss in Primary Care Practices

Weight Loss in Primary Care: a Translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program

The purpose of this study is to determine if primary care based, telephone-delivered weight loss interventions are effective.

Obesity is related to the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes. Cost-effective interventions leading to sustained weight loss are needed to improve the public health and reverse the alarming rise in diabetes, its cardiovascular complications and other obesity-related illnesses. The Diabetes Prevention Program is identified as a model for a successful weight loss intervention. The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial of 2 active telephone-based interventions based on the Diabetes Prevention Model that will be delivered at primary care sites.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Obese
• Metabolic syndrome
• Read and write English
• Planning to stay in treatment with their PCP for the next 3 years
• On stable doses of medications for chronic diseases such as hypothyroidism for 3 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable health
• Diabetes mellitus
• Severe medical comorbidities that might interfere with their ability to participate in intervention such as severe psychiatric disease or significant heart disease.