A Primary Care-Based Weight Navigation Program

Area of Science:

• Obesity Medicine
• Primary Care
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Evidence-based weight management treatments (WMTs) are underutilized, hindering effective patient weight loss.
• Strategies to enhance WMT adoption and improve patient outcomes are crucial for obesity management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between a primary care-based weight navigation program (WNP) and WMT utilization.
• To evaluate the impact of the WNP on patient weight loss outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of a quality improvement program in a Midwestern US academic health system (October 2020 - September 2021).
• Propensity matching of adults with obesity and weight-related conditions between WNP intervention and control sites.
• WNP involved primary care physicians guiding patients toward preference-sensitive WMTs.

Main Results:

• WNP patients achieved significantly greater weight loss (4.9 kg more) compared to matched controls (P < .001).
• Higher rates of achieving 5% and 10% weight loss were observed in the WNP group (ORs 2.90 and 7.19, respectively).
• WNP significantly increased referrals to specific WMTs, including bariatric surgery and a low-calorie meal replacement program.

Conclusions:

• The primary care-based weight navigation program (WNP) is feasible and effectively increases WMT use.
• The WNP is associated with superior weight loss outcomes compared to standard care.
• Further large-scale trials are warranted to validate the WNP's effectiveness in diverse populations.