Telecoaching plus a portion control plate for weight care management: a randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Obesity research
• Behavioral health interventions
• Primary care medicine

Background:

• Obesity is a major preventable cause of death and disability, negatively impacting quality of life.
• This study investigated the effectiveness of telecoaching combined with portion control for obese patients in primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of telecoaching and a portion control plate on weight, BMI, and waist circumference in obese patients.
• To assess changes in eating behaviors, self-efficacy, and physical activity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial was conducted in a midwestern US primary care practice.
• Participants were assigned to either usual care or an intervention group receiving telecoaching and a portion control plate for 3 months, with 6-month follow-up.
• Primary outcomes included weight, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio; secondary outcomes assessed behavioral changes.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significant reductions in BMI and waist-to-hip ratio at 3 months compared to usual care.
• These effects were not significant at 6 months overall.
• Females experienced significant reductions in weight and BMI at both 3 and 6 months, while males showed a significant reduction in waist-to-hip ratio at 3 months.

Conclusions:

• Telecoaching with a portion control plate can positively influence body composition in obese primary care patients.
• The effectiveness of this intervention is influenced by sex, with females showing more consistent benefits.