Feasibility of a community-based interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention trial on weight loss (the HealthTrack study)

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel interdisciplinary intervention on weight loss. Methods: A 3-month parallel, blinded, randomised controlled trial compared the effects of an interdisciplinary model of care (individualised interdisciplinary advice delivered through dietitians) with control (general advice on diet and physical activity delivered by primary care nurses). The primary outcome was assessing feasibility and acceptability of the protocol, with secondary outcomes including body weight, clinical, dietary, physical activity and psychological variables. Results: Twenty-four participants were randomised and 21 included in the final analysis. The recruitment rate was 42% (24/57) and the eligibility rate 83% (24/29). The withdrawal rate was low (13% overall) compared with similar trials. Attendance at study visits was higher in the intervention arm compared with control (100 vs 83%), which may be an artefact of the greater individualised treatment provided in the integrated model. Conclusions: This study confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of the novel interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention within the region.