GP lifestyle intervention to prevent weight gain

January 01, 0001

GP lifestyle intervention to prevent weight gain

This study by Dutch investigators was conducted to determine whether structured lifestyle counseling by nurse practitioners (NPs) group compared with usual care by general practitioners (GP-UC) in overweight and obese patients can prevent (further) weight gain. They conducted a randomized controlled trial in 11 general practice locations in the Netherlands of 457 patients (body mass index, 25-40; mean age, 56 years; 52% female) with either hypertension or dyslipidemia or both. The NP group received lifestyle counseling with guidance of the NP using a standardized software program. The GP-UC group received usual care from their GP.

They found: "In both groups, approximately 60% of the participants achieved weight maintenance after 3 years. There was no significant difference in mean weight change and change of waist circumference between the NP and GP- UC groups (weight change: NP group, -1.2%, and GP-UC group, -0.6%; and change of waist circumference: NP group, -0.8 cm, and GP-UC group, 0.4 cm). A significant difference occurred for mean fasting glucose levels (NP group, -0.02 mmol/L, and GP-UC group, 0.10) but not for lipid levels and blood pressure."

The authors concluded: "Lifestyle counseling by NPs did not lead to significantly better prevention of weight gain compared with GPs. In the majority in both groups, lifestyle counseling succeeded in preventing (further) weight gain."

Given the equivalent outcomes the least costly approach should be used.

For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Intern Med 171(4):306-313, 28 February 2011 © 2011 to the American Medical Association
Preventing Weight Gain by Lifestyle Intervention in a General Practice Setting-Three-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Nancy C. W. ter Bogt, Wanda J. E. Bemelmans, Frank W. Beltman, Jan Broer, Andries J. Smit, Klaas van der Meer. Correspondence to Nancy C. W. ter Bogt: [email protected]

Category: T. , HSR. Health Services Research. Keywords: weight gain, prevention, lifestyle counseling, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 22 March 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.