In this study we sought to determine whether inpatient weight loss counseling with post discharge phone follow-up would result in weight loss at six months. Secondary endpoints included weight change from baseline, changes in waist-to-hip ratios, assessment of weight perceptions and changes in patient reported health outcome measures. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized trial designed to evaluate the effects of an obesity intervention with post-discharge follow-up in an inpatient general medicine population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults ages 18-65 years old
• Body mass index between 30-50 kg/m2
• Admitted to an internal medicine service

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute medical conditions known to affect weight (heart failure, cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease on dialysis, nephrotic syndrome, or pregnancy)
• Charlson comorbidity index >3
• moderate to severe major depression
• prolonged steroid use (>2 weeks)
• initiation of medications known to affect weight
• non-English speaking
• precontemplation stage of change