A Group-based Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Primary Care

A Group-based Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Primary Care

Overweight and obesity is a growing problem in the world. Today more than 50 % of all people over 18 years in Sweden are overweight or obese. Main reasons for this are changes in lifestyle habits regarding diet and physical exercise. Overweight and obesity increases risk of different diseases such as type 2 diabetes, arthrosis and cancer; it also affects quality of life. Losing 5-10 % of your body weight improves metabolic health and quality of life. Lifestyle changes are very important in order to lose weight but it can be challenging to carry through with these changes on your own without support. In the primary care in Region Orebro län a group treatment, "Step by step", has been in use since 2010. It comprises of six group sessions over 6-8 months with different themes such as diet, physical exercise and stress. Between the group sessions there are home assignments, such as writing a diet or exercise diary. This observational study will evaluate "Step by step" and the effect the group treatment has on the participants' weight, dietary habits, physical activity, quality of life, eating habits and metabolic health.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years and older
• BMI 30 or over
• BMI over 28 and under 30 with one or more of following: hypertension, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidaemia, liver steatosis, sleep apnoea or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe mental illness
• Previous or present eating disorder
• Pregnancy
• Breast feeding
• Serious cancer under treatment
• Use of weight-loss drugs
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs
• Type 1 diabetes
• Not being able to speak/read/write Swedish.