Effectiveness of the MOVE! Multidisciplinary weight loss program for veterans in Los Angeles.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans (MOVE!) in achieving weight loss in veterans who attended the multidisciplinary weight management program in the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Methods: From April 1, 2006, to December 31, 2009, 382 veterans enrolled in the MOVE! program; 377 veterans attended at least 3 group sessions and were included in this study. All veterans were encouraged to complete 8 weekly group sessions on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification in a group setting led by a multidisciplinary team.

Hypertriglyceridemia is a practical biomarker of metabolic syndrome in individuals with abdominal obesity.

Individuals with the metabolic syndrome have a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are inaccurate methods for assessing abdominal obesity; in addition, some obese individuals are metabolically healthy while some normal weight individuals have metabolic syndrome. The methods used to visualize intra-abdominal fat, such as computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are not available to primary care practitioners as screening methods for the primary care patient.