Intervention & Evaluation
The intervention programme is a structured pathway for management of obesity in primary care consisting of screening and evidence-based treatment guidelines
Weight Management Advisers (Counterweight Specialist) conducted a 6 hour training programme for Practice Nurses. The training included up to date information on obesity and the lifestyle management of this disease. They then provided clinical support in the practice to assist the nurses in treating patients in weight management clinics, groups or opportunistically.
An integrated package of patient education materials has been developed to support the Counterweight programme, and the Weight Management Advisers (Counterweight Specialist) worked with the nurses to guide them on the implementation of the weight loss programme until the desired level of competency has been reached.
The nurses were advised to see patients for 6 appointments of 10-30 minutes over a 3 month period (or in 6 group sessions lasting 1 hour) Patients were then followed up at 6 months and 12 months thereafter.
Weight change was the primary way of evaluating the success the Counterweight programme
The number of patients reaching specified weight loss targets of 5% and 10% of initial body weight was examined, as these weight losses are clinically beneficial.
Secondary endpoints such as changes in blood pressure, lipids and diabetes control were also assessed.