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114,000 People in Weight Loss Programs Over 15 Years
Show Increase in Entering Weight and Medications
Gotthelf L., Grant L.
Obes 2008; 16 suppl 1: s158
Objective: The dramatic increase in obesity in the U.S. over the past 15-20 years has been well documented by national data. The purpose of this study was to determine if the entering weights and co-morbid conditions of patients who joined a national weight loss program during this time period showed a similar trend.
Methods & Subjects:
• All patients who had a completed health risk appraisal (HRA) when they entered the HMR® Program for Weight Management™ in 1991 to present were included (n=114,692).
• The year of completion of the initial HRA was divided into four time frames: 1991-1995; 1996-2000; 2001-2005; and 2006-present.
Program: 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); use of meal replacements (≥ 35/wk in weight loss and 14/wk in maintenance); increased vegetable and fruit intake (≥ 35/wk) is included in some weight-loss options and in maintenance.
Results:
Date of Initial
Surveys |
N |
Initial Weight (lbs.)
|
% on Choles
Meds |
% on BP Meds |
% on Oral
Diabetes Meds |
% on Insulin |
| 1991 - 1995 |
36,764 |
204 |
3.1% |
13.4% |
2.2% |
1.7% |
| 1996 - 2000 |
30,116 |
221 |
7.6% |
20.8% |
4.7% |
2.5% |
| 2001 - 2005 |
31,380 |
233 |
19.1% |
31.2% |
11.1% |
3.7% |
| 2006 - Present |
16,432 |
239 |
25.9% |
37.4% |
13.1% |
3.9% |
• The average age of patients also increased over time: 43 years, 44 years, 46 years, and 48 years, respectively.
• For each time frame, the percent of patients who were on cholesterol, blood pressure, and oral diabetes medications and insulin increased. For example, there was an 8-fold increase in the percent of people on cholesterol medications, 3-fold increase on blood pressure medications, and 6-fold increase on oral diabetes medications from 1991-1995 to 2006-present.
Conclusions: In summary, data from an ongoing treatment program mirror the national trends in obesity. Although overall outcomes have improved in the past 15-20 years, patients who are entering treatment programs are entering at higher weights and with greater medical co-morbidities.
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