Comparative Effectiveness of Weight-Loss Interventions in Clinical Practice

This trial showed that two types of behavioral interventions, one based on remote, call-center support and the other on in-person support, resulted in significant weight loss among obese patients. These results provide templates for effective weight-loss programs in primary care practices. Obesity is an important and growing public health problem around the world. In the United States, approximately one third of adults are obese. 1 Obesity adversely affects each of the major cardiovascular risk factors — blood pressure, lipid profile, and diabetes. As a consequence, obese persons have an increased risk of death, especially from cardiovascular disease. 2 , 3 The economic burden of the obesity epidemic is enormous; the estimated direct and indirect costs related to obesity exceed $110 billion annually in the United States. 4 An extensive body of evidence from efficacy trials has shown that weight loss is achievable and that modest . . .