Improvement in Medical Risk Factors for 1,000 Patients in Ongoing Treatment Program

Although there is much research documenting the health benefits of weight loss, few studies are from individuals in long-term ongoing treatment programs. Outcomes from actual treatment settings are more reflective of results people are apt to experience if they join a treatment program. The purpose of this study was to document changes in weight, lifestyle behaviors and medical risk factors in 1,000 participants in an ongoing treatment program. Participants were from 26 different clinics using the HMR® (Health Management Resources®) Program for Weight Management. Consecutive patients who had a pre-treatment health risk appraisal (HRA) with a follow-up HRA that was completed in the maintenance phase of the program during 2007 or 2008 were assessed. The average time between HRA surveys was 146 weeks, or 2.8 years, with the average age of patients at the time of follow-up as 53 years. Out of the 1000 patients, 685 were women. All measured lifestyle behaviors showed significant decreases (p<.01). The average weight lost and maintained during this time period was 41 lbs (16.7% of initial body weight). Physical activity calories reported per week tripled (average of 630 to 1815 kcals) and dietary fat intake decreased from 38% to 28% of energy. All measured medical parameters also decreased significantly (p<.01), including total cholesterol/HDL -12.1%; triglycerides -24.2%; fasting glucose -7.7%; systolic -6 mm/Hg and diastolic blood pressure -4 mm/Hg. Of those who entered on cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes medications, 25.1% discontinued these medications (not including those who decreased their dosage). Overall, 72.6% of patients were keeping off an average of 21.4% of initial body weight; 19% were keeping off 0-10%; and 8.4% gained weight. The statistically computed risks for cancer and cardiovascular disease decreased from high to moderate. The average number of elevated risk factors decreased from 6 to 3. The total risk factor score on the HRA decreased from 23 (25 is the average American male and 23 the average American female) to 2 (0 is the healthy American). In summary, patients in an ongoing treatment program experienced significant changes in medical risk factors, lifestyle behaviors and weight over an average follow-up of 2.8 years. These results demonstrate that it is possible to translate research into practice, and for individuals to experience significant risk factor and lifestyle changes as have been shown in clinical research studies.