A computer support program that helps clinicians provide patients with metabolic syndrome tailored counseling to promote weight loss.

Background: Physician counseling can help patients make substantial changes in diet and physical activity behaviors that can result in weight loss and a reduction in metabolic risk factors. Unfortunately, time constraints and a lack of training often make it difficult for physicians to provide effective counseling. The objective in this study was to test the effect of a computerized support tool to enhance brief physician-delivered health lifestyle counseling to patients with increased metabolic risk factors during two usual care visits.

Clinic-based support to help overweight patients with type 2 diabetes increase physical activity and lose weight.

Background: Our objective was to test the effect of physicians providing brief health lifestyle counseling to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during usual care visits.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a 12-month intervention at 2 large community health centers, enrolling 310 patients with a body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 25 or greater. In the intervention group, self-management goals for nutrition and physical activity were set using a tailored computer program.