Promoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary Care in Louisiana

This study is a cluster-randomized, two-arm controlled trial in primary care settings. A total of 18 primary care clinics inclusive of low income populations with a high percentage of African Americans from urban and rural areas across Louisiana were randomized to either 1) intervention or 2) usual care. The sample includes 803 patients with obesity (BMI 30-50 kg/m2) (18 clinics, median of 40.5 patients / clinic). The primary aim of this trial is to develop and test the effectiveness of a 24 month, patient-centered, pragmatic and scalable obesity treatment program delivered within primary care, inclusive of an underserved population. Patients in the intervention arm attended weekly (16 in-person) sessions in the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for the remaining 18 months. The behavioral intervention was delivered by a trained health coach embedded in the primary care clinic. Primary Care Practitioners in the intervention arm received a series of webinars on obesity science to help them manage and treat obese patients. Patients assigned to the usual care arm will continue to interact with their Primary Care Practitioner according to their usual schedule, and will receive a series of newsletters on topics of interest, including importance of sleep for health, brain and memory health, goal setting, smoking cessation, etc. Primary Care Practitioners in the usual care arm received a webinar describing the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approach to reimbursing for obesity treatment, and a reminder informational brochure will be sent to the Primary Care Practitioners each year. Patients in both arms were assessed on primary and secondary outcome measures at baseline, and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of intervention.