Abstracts / Posters
Changes in weight screening following the introduction of a structured approach to weight management in UK primary care: the Counterweight programme
International Association for the Study of Obesity. Obesity Reviews. 2006 7 (supp 2) p276-277
The Counterweight Project Team
Background: Weight screening and recording data provide a critical first step for development of weight management in general practice.
Method: The Counterweight Programme is a national multi-centre trial aimed at improving obesity management in primary care. Specialist dietitians trained and supported practice nurses in the implementation of a structured weight management programme in intervention practices. Computerised medical records from 28 practices were audited for any documentation of weight in the practice population aged 18-75 years at baseline (n=156 603), and re-audited 3 years later (n=147 298). Changes in weight screening rates were compared for intervention (n=24) and control (n=4) practices.
Results: Differences in weight screening were compared in intervention and control practices (61.7% vs. 52.6%) at baseline and re-audit (53.1% vs. 68.7%) and between females and males (66.4% vs. 54.9%) respectively. Screening for weight increased more substantially within the intervention groups between audit and re-audit for both males (OR 1.80, P <0.001) and females (OR 2.29, P <0.001), compared to the increase within control practices for males (OR 1.61, P <0.001) and females (OR 1.82, P< 0.001).
Conclusion: The recording of weight has increased over-time throughout general practice in the UK. The increase reflects influences such as government incentives or improved weight recording. The data do also show an additional effect of the Counterweight Programme on weight screening. Optimal screening is the first step to improving the management of obesity.