Comparison of a phone vs clinic approach to achieve 10% weight loss.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of a phone vs a traditional face-to-face clinic approach to achieve 10% weight loss and weight maintenance.

DESIGN

Twenty-six week, randomized, controlled trial.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-four men and 72 women, ages 25-68 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 33.2+/-3.8.

MEASUREMENTS

Weight loss at 12 weeks and weight maintenance at 26 weeks were the primary outcomes. Attendance, meal replacements (MRs), fruits/vegetables (F/V), and physical activity (PA) were measured weekly for process evaluation.

RESULTS

Median weight loss (range) from baseline at 12 weeks was significantly different for phone at 10.6 kg (16.6) or 10.4% and clinic at 12.7 kg (19.9) or 13.7%, and both were significantly different when compared with the control group with a weight loss of 0.25 kg (5.6) or 0.24%. Median weight loss at 26 weeks was 12.8 kg (23.4) or 13.0% from baseline for the phone group and 12.5 kg (35.2) or 12.6% from baseline for the clinic group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The median weight loss for both phone and clinic groups at 12 and 26 weeks exceeded the NHLBI guideline of 10% weight loss from baseline. The phone approach may be a viable option to the traditional weight management clinic for both service providers and participants.