WMJ Vol 119: Continuous Engagement in a Weight-Loss Program Promotes Sustained Significant Weight Loss
Overview
ABSTRACT
Background: Significant weight loss improves health but regain is common.
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if 2,346 members of Take Off Pounds Sensibly—a national, low-cost, peer-led weight-loss program—achieved and maintained significant weight loss with 7 consecutive annual renewals.
Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort design. For each renewal, the cumulative change from baseline weight was calculated. Weight change was placed into 1 of 3 categories: significant weight loss, loss ≥ 5%; weight stable, loss of 0 to < 5%; or weight gain, any amount above baseline weight.
Results: The cohort included 2,346 individuals. Fifty-one percent (n=740) of participants were in the significant weight-loss category all 7 years; 256 (18%) were in the significant weight-loss category at year 1 but moved into at least 1 other category during years 2 through 6; 359 (25%) were in the weight stable category at year 1; and 98 (7%) were in the weight gain category at year 1.
Conclusions: Over 60% of the population achieved significant weight loss by year 7. Since continuous, long-term engagement in a weight-loss program can lead to significant weight loss, even if significant weight loss is not initially achieved, participation should be encouraged.
Intended Audience
The target audience for this journal-based activity is healthcare providers caring for the people and communities of Wisconsin and beyond.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this journal-based activity, learners will be able to:
- Define clinically significant weight loss.
- Explain how the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) program works.
- Describe why continuous engagement with the healthcare team may help with weight loss maintenance.
Faculty
FACULTY DISCLOSURE
It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP that the faculty, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this CE activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with commercial interests* in order to allow CE staff to identify and resolve any potential conflicts of interest. Faculty must also disclose any planned discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during the educational activity. For this educational activity all conflicts of interests have been resolved and detailed disclosures are listed below:
Name of Individual | Individual's Role in Activity | Name of Commercial Interest & | Discussion of |
Terese Bailey, BS | Accreditation Specialist | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Nrupen A. Bhavsar, PhD | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Ronda Dennis-Smithart, MD, FAAP | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Andrea Martonffy, MD | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Nia Mitchell, MD | Author | NIH Grant TOPS Program (Grant); TOPS Research Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) | No |
Roberta Pawlak, PhD, RN, NEA-BC | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Ronald Prince, MS | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Emmanuel A. Seyoum | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Robert Treat, PhD | Editor | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
Fern J. Webb, PhD | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
* The ACCME defines a commercial interest as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical service directly to patients to be commercial interests.
Accreditation
Accreditation
Accreditation Statement
![]() | In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal. The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. |
Credit Designation Statements
American Medical Association (AMA)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hours.
Iowa Board of Nursing accepts ANCC contact hours for nursing continuing education requirements.
Continuing Education Units
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
- 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
- 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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