Evaluation of an adult weight management service delivered by pharmacies and GP practices

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether an adult weight management programme delivered by pharmacies and GP practices in Birmingham was effective and if there was a difference between pharmacy and GP led programmes. In this repeated measures study (n=450) of a 12 week weight management programme consisting of weekly appointments and three follow up appointments delivered in pharmacies (n=183) and GP practices (n=267). Participants at baseline had a mean age of 42 (±12.4) years, and mean BMI of 34.5 (±6.0) kg/m² and were measured at baseline (n=450), 12 weeks (n=166) and 6 month follow up (n=82). Weight, BMI, waist circumference and quality of life (QoL) measurements were taken at each time point. Overall there was a significant decrease in weight (3.10kg (±4.32)), waist (6.20cm (±6.21)) and BMI (1.12kg/m² (±1.76)) between baseline and 12 weeks (p=0.000), and baseline and six month follow up (p=0.000). With 39% of participants losing more than 5% of their weight and 54% losing more than 5cm from their waist at 6 month follow up. QoL significantly increased between baseline and 12 weeks (p=0.000), and baseline and six month follow up (p=0.000). GP led programmes had a significantly (p=0.043) higher percentage weight loss than the pharmacy led programmes at 12 weeks. However, the pharmacy led programme demonstrated significant (p=0.009) weight loss between completing the 12 week programme and 6 month follow up, compared to the GP led programme where weight increased. The pharmacy led programme had a considerably higher retention rate and resulted in a 4.03%(±5.24) weight loss at follow up with significantly (p=0.019) more participants achieving more than 5% weight loss at the 6 month follow up compared with the GP led programme. The adult weight management programme is effective, resulting in a significant decrease in weight, BMI and waist circumference and a significant increase in quality of life at 12 weeks and maintained 6 months post intervention. The pharmacy led programme appears more effective than the GP led programme demonstrating a significantly greater retention rate with a significant percentage of participants maintaining their weight loss 6 months post intervention.