Successful Weight Loss Counseling with Both In-Clinic and Remote Primary Care Visits

Primary healthcare, even in under-resources rural settings, has the capacity to offer effective weight loss counseling through different types of patient visits

WeightControl.com Interview with:
Christie A. Befort, Ph.D., Professor

Associate Director, Cancer Prevention and Control
Co-Leader, Cancer Control and Population Health Program
KU Cancer Center

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study?

Response: Primary care clinics are an important place for patients to get help with weight loss, especially for those who are at risk from obesity-related health complications or who have other medical conditions that may make weight loss more difficult.  This is especially true in remote rural areas where obesity prevalence is higher and there is less access to effective programs.

WeightControl.com: What are the main findings?

Response: Rural primary care clinics are able to offer weight loss counseling to their patients with clinically meaningful long-term weight loss after 2 years for approximately 2 out of 5 patients.  In-clinic group visits have a small advantage over in-clinic individual visits for weight loss outcomes.

WeightControl.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Primary healthcare, even in under-resourced rural settings, has the capacity to offer effective weight loss counseling through different types of patient visits, both local in-clinic visits and remote visits.

WeightControl.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: Additional research is needed on implementing weight loss services in a manner that addresses workforce training and staffing gaps. Policy changes are also needed to enhance coverage for services across payors.  

No disclosures

Citation:

Befort CA, VanWormer JJ, Desouza C, et al. Effect of Behavioral Therapy With In-Clinic or Telephone Group Visits vs In-Clinic Individual Visits on Weight Loss Among Patients With Obesity in Rural Clinical Practice: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(4):363–372. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.25855

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Last Updated on January 26, 2021 by weightcontrol