Body-weight goals, trends, and weight-loss techniques among patients with peripheral arterial disease

Obesity contributes to negative outcomes in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Little is known about the body-weight goals and trends among patients with PAD.

The aim of this study was to explore self-reported body-weight trends and methods used to achieve weight loss in patients with PAD.

Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was utilized to compare individuals with PAD who were overweight and obese ( n = 240), to matched individuals without PAD ( n = 480). Self-reported body weight at age 25 years, 10 years prior and 1 year prior to the current assessment, and age and weight of heaviest body weight were compared. Self-reported weight-loss techniques during the past year were compared between groups.

Individuals with PAD and controls reported similar weights 10 years prior (79.2 kg vs 78.5 kg; p = 0.60) and weight gain over the last 10 years of 5.7 kg. There was no significant difference in reported body weight at age 25 years, 10 years prior, 1 year prior, or heaviest weight. Compared with the control group, fewer participants with PAD reported attempted weight loss in the last year (27.50% vs 36.04%; p = 0.02) and were half as likely to report utilizing exercise as a weight-loss method (12.5% vs 21.7%; p = 0.003).

These data indicate that those with PAD are less inclined to attempt weight loss, especially through means of increased physical activity. Future research is needed regarding the effectiveness of intentional weight-loss programs in this population.