Primary care referral to a commercial provider for weight loss treatment versus standard care: a randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity needs effective approaches for weight loss in primary care and community settings. We compared weight loss with standard treatment in primary care with that achieved after referral by the primary care team to a commercial provider in the community.

Methods

In this parallel group, non-blinded, randomised controlled trial, 772 overweight and obese adults were recruited by primary care practices in Australia, Germany, and the UK. Participants were randomly assigned with a computer-generated simple randomisation sequence to receive either 12 months of standard care as defined by national treatment guidelines, or 12 months of free membership to a commercial programme (Weight Watchers), and followed up for 12 months. T

SUBMITTER: Jebb SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3207352 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature