Abstract P296: Dietary Habits in Primary Care Patients with Recent Intentional Weight Loss

Abstract

Introduction: Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to provide counselling for weight loss, yet lifestyle habits of primary care patients with recent, intentional weight loss are unclear. Our objective was to characterize diet and exercise habits in primary care patients with recent, intentional weight loss, comparing those with greater (≥10%) to those with lesser (5 to <10%) weight loss. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a weight loss maintenance clinical trial in a primary care setting included patients,18-75 years old, with ≥5% intentional weight loss via lifestyle change in the past 2 years. Recent weight loss was confirmed with medical records. Dietary habits were measured by the Connor Diet Habits Survey. Results: Participants (n=192, 74% female, 87% white) had mean (SD) age 53 (12) years, body mass index 30.4 (5.9) kg/m 2 , and recent weight loss of 11 (8) %. Participants had a high burden of comorbidities: high blood pressure (50%), dyslipidemia (43%), diabetes (14%), and cardiovascular disease (10%). Participants reported high median intake of fruits and vegetables (5 servings/day), and low intake of fried foods (1 servings/wk), desserts (1 serving/wk) and sugar-sweetened beverages (0 serving/wk) (see Table) . Participants ate at restaurants on average twice/wk and most drank skim milk. Those with greater weight loss had higher intakes of fruits and vegetables (p=0.04) and low fat foods/recipes (p=0.02); other dietary habits were not related to amount of recent weight loss (see Table ). Conclusions: Despite the plethora of studies that support and refute a variety of dietary recommendations to promote weight loss, dietary habits in primary care patients with a high burden of comorbidities and recent, intentional weight loss were consistent with conventional wisdom including: more fruits and vegetables, limited added sugars, and more low fat foods and recipes. Future research should test the effects of this eating pattern in a primary care setting for weight loss and maintenance.