Interventions for Lifestyle Changes to Promote Weight Reduction, a Randomized Controlled Trial in Primary Health Care

Interventions for Lifestyle Changes to Promote Weight Reduction, a Randomized Controlled Trial in Primary Health Care

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a weight reduction program in adults, seen in a primary care setting, with overweight/obesity perceived as a health problem or with diseases related to overweight/obesity and ambitions to achieve weight reduction as part of treatment.

Patients seeking advice for overweight/obesity or illness related to overweight/obesity at eight primary health care centers in Sweden were randomized either to intervention or control care groups with both dietary advice and individualized advice on increased regular physical activity. Main outcome measures were reduction in body weight of 5 percent or more from study start.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients between 18 and 70 years of age who consulted or were in care for overweight/obesity with or without type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension, CVD
• Coronary heart disease (CHD)
• Dyslipidemia
• Gallstone or musculoskeletal disorders

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients were not eligible if they were already taking part in another weight control program
• Understood the Swedish language poorly
• Were mentally ill or had an alcohol or drug addiction.
• Nor were they eligible if they had a physical disability preventing intensified physical activity or were pregnant at study start.