Early weight loss outcomes from a newly established hospital-affiliated specialized obesity care delivery model in Central Florida.

Significance: We evaluated weight loss outcomes in a newly established hospital-affiliated, physician-directed multidisciplinary, and personalized obesity care model.

Methods: Fifty established patients in a specialized obesity medicine practice underwent intensive lifestyle intervention ±adjunctive pharmacotherapy (46/50) for >6 consecutive months and when required, psychological intervention. We identified demographics, obesity-related comorbidities, anthropometric changes over time, and laboratory screen. Psychosocial status was determined using Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Brownell-Stunkard Weight-Loss Readiness Test, and Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL).

Results: Patient characteristics (mean ± SD) were: 70% female; age 47.0 ± 16.4 y; weight 111.55 ± 32.8 kg; BMI 39.3 ± 8.8 kg/m; % body fat 45.5 ± 6.3. Patients had attempted at least one diet prior to seeking tertiary obesity care and averaged 2.5 major co-morbidities. In regards to health status, 74% were insulin resistant [HOMA]; 12% had Type 2 DM (HbA1c > 6.5%); 46% were hypertensive; 48% had dyslipidemia, 38% were vitamin D deficient; 44% were depressed (BDI-II). Weight loss at 3 and 6 months averaged -4.18 and -7.88 kg and percentage changes in BMI a respective -4.39 and -7.74% (p < 0.0001). Forty percentage were early responders (ER), having lost ≥ 5% of their initial weight 3 months into the program. Total weight loss for ER vs. non-responders (NR) at 3 months was -7.90 and -1.71 kg, respectively (p < 0.0001) and mean % BMI changes from baseline were a respective -7.77 and -1.88%.

Conclusions: Organized hospital-affiliated specialized obesity care delivery models can be successful in personalized obesity treatment. These types of medical programs for complicated obesity are likely to reduce impediments to addressing obesity effectively.