UCLA

Background: Obesity is a chronic, progressive, and relapsing health condition that increases the risk of numerous obesity-related health conditions, yet management is challenging. Objectives: To test a personalized weight management program in the outpatient cardiology clinics at a large academic center in Southern California. Methods: Women were recruited with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2 and at least one cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Participants were followed biweekly for eight weeks. The project leader met twice on Zoom with each participant to provide counseling on the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and to establish goals and evaluate progress using motivational interviewing (MI). Between these first and last virtual visits, booster emails were sent by the project leader every two weeks to collect weights and waist circumferences (WC). A digital-based weight-tracking application, a smart scale, and a smart tape measure were used to track anthropometric measurements. Participants’ satisfaction scores were collected using an existing survey. The primary outcomes and benchmarks for this project were to achieve a clinically significant goal of weight reduction of at least 5-10% and at least 2.5 inches reduction in WC from baseline. Participants' satisfaction (secondary outcome) with the program' of at least 90% was the secondary goal of this project. Results: Twenty-six participants completed the program and demonstrated a significant reduction for mean change in weight (lbs) (M=6.38 � 6.62; p < 0.001), and for mean change in WC (in) (M=3.02 � 1.64; p < 0.001). The mean weight loss percent was 3.16 % � 2.94 and mean change in BMI was 1.07 � 1.03. Ninety-two percent of participants (n=24) answered, "strongly agree" or "agree" with the quality of care received through the weight management program. Overall, 22 participants lost weight and had a decreased BMI, two stayed the same, and two gained weight and increased BMI. Only one participant had no change in WC. Conclusion: While participants did not meet the goal of 5-10 % weight loss from baseline, this virtual weight management program successfully helped the majority of participants significantly reduce their weight and WC with access to lifestyle modifications, behavioral counseling, and novel self-monitoring technology.