Abstracts Category : Other

Improving Outcomes on Weight Loss and Adherence Through Evaluation of Follow-up Visits in a Structured Weight Management Program

by Karizza B Asper

The focus of this project was to determine if a relationship existed between weight loss as a result of follow-up visits and adherence as a result of follow-up visits in patients with BMI >26 kg/m2 enrolled in the weight loss program during 12 weeks of treatment. The project was based on two clinical questions which include: In patients with BMI >26 kg/m 2, how do follow-up visits affect weight loss during 12 weeks of treatment? In patients with BMI >26 kg/m2, how do follow-up visits affect adherence during 12 weeks of treatment? The practice improvement project utilized a quantitative methodology with a correlational design. The primary investigators clinical questions were tested using two-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) (within-subjects and between-subjects) and one-way ANOVA. The location of the project was at a weight loss clinic located in Southern California, and 156 patients charts were used for retrospective chart reviews and a sample of 156 participants answered the MOS-SAS (short version) questionnaire. The theoretical underpinnings for the practice improvement project included the Health belief model and Integrated theory of health behavior change. The results of the project concluded that weekly follow-up visits had significant impact on weight loss, specifically, in the first six weeks of the program. Results also showed weekly follow-up visits (<i>M</i> = 4.51, <i> SD</i> = .317, <i>n</i> = 91) produced significantly greater levels of adherence compared to bimonthly follow-up visits (<i>M</i> = 3.69, <i>SD</i> = .480, <i>n</i> = 61) during 12 weeks of treatment. The future nursing, practice, and research implications of the study include focusing on strong implementation of weekly follow-up visits, additional contact support, integrating weight loss teaching sessions, and determining perceived barriers to exercise adherence.