Weight change after a one-time preventive cardiology clinic visit

The effect of a one-time visit to a cardiovascular health clinic (CVHC) on weight change remains unknown. Our study examined the effects of such a visit for subjects undergoing medical and preventive evaluations.

The study screened 836 subjects with a baseline BMI>25 kg/m2 and a follow-up weight at least 6 months from the initial visit. Patients with active cardiac disease were excluded. Data were obtained through a medical record review. The study included 342 patients with a mean baseline weight of 93.1 kg and BMI of 31.0 kg/m2.

Mean subsequent weight was 92.4 kg, representing a weight loss of 0.76 kg (P=0.005). Subjects with a previously documented weight showed a trend toward weight gain before the baseline visit. Mean weight loss was higher when the referring provider documented a weight-related diagnosis or plan (-1.63 vs. -0.23 kg, P=0.01), when the CVHC encounter occurred with an MD rather than a PhD-level exercise physiologist (-1.50 vs. 0.03 kg, P=0.004), and when the CVHC provider documented a weight-related diagnosis (-1.39 vs. -0.18 kg, P=0.02) or recommended diet changes (-1.09 vs. 0.75 kg, P=0.01). Individuals undergoing a preventive evaluation had lower mean weight loss (-0.13 vs. -1.49 kg, P=0.02). A single encounter in the CVHC reversed the trend toward weight gain. Characteristics associated with weight loss were referral for weight issues, encounter with an MD provider, and provision of diet recommendations. Patients undergoing medical evaluation had more weight loss than participants in a preventive health program.