Background and Goal: Obesity is a significant health issue, particularly among veterans and racial/ethnic minority groups. Primary care is a key setting for addressing obesity. However, many barriers, including time constraints and limited patient engagement, make effective treatment challenging. This study evaluated whether a technology-assisted health coaching intervention called Goals for Eating and Moving (GEM) could help high-risk patients lose weight more effectively than enhanced usual care (EUC).
Study Approach: Researchers conducted a two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 19 primary care teams across two health care systems. Patients with obesity or overweight conditions and related comorbidities were randomized to receive either the GEM intervention or EUC. The GEM intervention included one in-person and up to 12 telephone-delivered coaching sessions. Coaches supported goal setting and weight management program engagement, facilitated by a software tool and motivational interviewing. Patients randomized to EUC received educational handouts. The study measured weight changes and other health outcomes over 12 months.
Main Results:
Why It Matters: The findings of this study highlight the complexities of managing obesity in high-risk populations and the limitations of relying solely on technology-assisted health coaching in primary care settings.
A Cluster-Randomized Study of Health Coaching for Weight Management in Primary Care
Melanie R. Jay, MD, MS, et al
Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, New York
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The Annals of Family Medicine
Technology-Assisted Health Coaching Intervention Does Not Improve Weight Loss in Veterans and High-Risk Patients
23-Sep-2024