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High Compliance with Lifestyle Behaviors for Weight Management Is Possible.
Gotthelf L, Grant L.
Obes 2006;14 suppl:A100.
Objective: Substantial lifestyle changes are crucial for weight loss and long-term maintenance. Health professionals may be reluctant to recommend extensive lifestyle changes since they doubt that patients will be able to comply. The purpose of this analysis was to examine patient compliance in an ongoing treatment program that expected sizable changes in lifestyle behaviors.
Method: Patients (n = 2175) who were enrolled in the HMR® Program for Weight ManagementTM between Jan. 1, 2002 and Mar. 31, 2005 in three centers were evaluated for compliance. Weight-loss patients who completed > 12 wks (Weight Loss Group) and those who entered the maintenance phase (Maintenance Group) were evaluated. HMR offers a range of weight-loss treatment options, including medically supervised low and very low-calorie diets, moderately restricted diets and phone-based programs as well as long-term maintenance. The program is based on measurable, evidence-based variables allowing for specific goals to be set and compliance to be tracked. All options for weight loss and maintenance focus on the same lifestyle changes: increased physical activity (>2000 kcal/wk) and the use of meal replacements (>35 svg/wk in weight loss and 14/wk in maintenance). Increased vegetable and fruit intake (>35 svg/wk) are included in some weight loss-options and in maintenance. Attendance, phone call, and record-keeping program commitments (PC) are documented by clinic staff. Meal replacement use, vegetable/fruit intake and physical activity are self-reported but are verified by health educators. High compliance is expected and specific interventions are used to increase compliance.
Results: Patients were highly compliant with all program commitments: 94—99% in weight loss and 82—93% in maintenance, as well as with lifestyle behaviors: 67—90% in weight loss and 68—82% in maintenance.
| Measure |
Weight Loss |
Maintenance |
| # Patients |
1305 |
870 |
| Attendance Compliance |
96.1% |
82.3% |
| Phone Call Compliance |
94.4% |
82.3% |
| Record-Keeping Compliance |
99.1% |
92.5% |
| Meal Replacement Compliance |
89.7% |
75.0% |
| Meal Replacement (/wk) |
45 |
26 |
| Vegetable/Fruit Compliance |
89.7% |
81.9% |
| Vegetable/Fruit (srvgs/wk) |
41.5 |
43.8 |
| Physical Activity Compliance |
67.4% |
67.9% |
| Physical Activity (kcal/wk) |
2475 |
2435 |
Conclusion: Health professionals can expect high compliance if they set ambitious goals and empower individuals to use behavioral strategies to meet these goals.
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