The impact of a primary care-based weight loss intervention on the quality of life

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated changes in the quality of life of men and women who participated in a primary care-based weight loss intervention program.Methods:Participants were enrolled in a 2-year randomized clinical trial (POWER-UP) conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and in six affiliated primary care practices. Inclusion criteria included the presence of obesity (body mass index of 30–50 kg m−2) and at least two components of the metabolic syndrome.Main Outcome Measures:Quality of life was assessed by three measures: the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12); the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite; and the EuroQol-5D.Results:Six months after the onset of treatment, and with a mean weight loss of 3.9±0.3 kg, participants reported significant improvements on all measures of interest with the exception of the Mental Component Score of the SF-12. These changes remained significantly improved from baseline to month 24, with the exception of the EuroQol-5D. Many of these improvements were correlated with the magnitude of weight loss and, for the most part, were consistent across gender and ethnic group.Conclusions:Individuals with obesity and components of the metabolic syndrome reported significant improvements in most domains of the quality of life with a modest weight loss of 3.7% of initial weight, which was achieved within the first 6 months of treatment. The majority of these improvements were maintained at month 24, when participants had lost 3.0% of their weight. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.