Motivational intervention for obesity in primary care using a physical activity program

Abstract

Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of three interventions for obesity, one of them including a platform that promotes physical activity. Material and methods: a multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel clinical trial that compared 3 arms with overweight or obese patients with a follow-up of 12 months. Patients were randomized into three groups for an intervention in a primary care center: G1: control group, which received the usual recommendations for losing weight according to the SEEDO 2000 Consensus; G2: motivational intervention for obesity (IMOAP) with a trained nurse and small, regular workgroups; G3: motivational intervention for obesity (IMOAP) plus use of a digital platform that records, monitors, and fosters physical activity (IWOPI). Variables collected included: weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, lipid parameters, blood pressure, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Results: a total of 185 patients were initially included in the study. Seventeen patients left the study, and 168 patients completed the study: 47 in G1, 61 in G2, and 60 in G3. Of the population studied, 57.1% were women. A general average weight reduction of 4.37 kg was seen at the end of the study – 5.34 kg in G2, 6.29 kg in G3, and 1.25 kg in the control group (G1). Cholesterol levels were also reduced in the three groups, but without reaching statistical significance. Clinically relevant parameters included: G1 (control) versus G2 (IMOAP): relative risk (RR), 0.10 to 0.46; relative risk reduction (RRR), 0.54 to 0.90; absolute risk reduction (ARR), 0.30 to 0.61; number needed to treat (NNT), 3 to 2; G1 versus G3 (IMOAP-PA): RR, 0.07 to 0.30; RRR, 0.70 to 0.93; ARR, 0.61 to 0.86; NNT: 2 to 1; G2 versus G3: RR, 0.54 to 0.84; RRR, 0.16 to 0.46; ARR, 0.14 to 0.43; NNT, 7 to 2. Conclusions: the digital health platform that fostered physical activity, added to a motivational intervention in overweight or obese patients, provided a significant additional benefit in terms of weight loss, BMI reduction, and lipid profile improvement in patients affected by overweight or obesity with a more effective cost.