Abstract
Our aim was to design and evaluate a weight-loss program, including a partial meal replacement program, point-of-care testing and face-to-face and smartphone app support, appropriate for delivery in a community pharmacy setting. Overweight or obese adults (n = 146, 71.2% female, 48.18 ± 11.75 years old) were recruited to participate in a 24-week weight loss study and randomised to two app conditions. The dietary intervention was consistent regardless of app. Twelve weeks of clinic appointments with a trained consultant were followed by only app support for an additional 12 weeks. By week 24, retention was 57.5%. There were no differences between app conditions. Based on a cohort analysis of the trial, the mean decrease in weight from baseline to week 24 was 6.43 ± 1.06 kg for males (p < 0.001) and 5.66 ± 0.70 kg for females (p < 0.001). Mixed models also revealed decreases for LDL Cholesterol (−0.13 ± 0.08 mmol/L, nonsignificant), triglycerides (−0.08 ± 0.05 mmol/L, nonsignificant) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (+0.08 ± 0.04 mmol/L, ns) were not significant by week 24. Blood glucose (−0.23 ± 0.08 mmol/L, p = 0.040) and blood pressure (Systolic blood pressure −5.77 ± 1.21 Hg/mm, p < 0.001) were significantly lower at week 24 compared to baseline. Weight loss self-efficacy increased and remained significantly higher than baseline at week 24 (16.85 ± 2.93, p < 0.001). Overall, the program supported participants and was successful in achieving significant weight loss and improvements in health outcomes over 24 weeks.
Highlights
There is evidence that meal replacements (MRs) are effective in facilitating weight loss in the context of intense multidisciplinary support
Hemysfield [1] conducted a meta-analysis comparing partial meal replacement programs (PMRPs) to traditional energy restricted food based diets, and found MRs resulted in a 7% loss in body weight at three months compared to 3% in traditional diets, which equated to about 2.5 kg greater weight loss at three months in the MR group
Our results provide a promising evaluation of this integrated model of care combining high protein MRs and meals with a phone app, point-of-care health testing and personalised support from a trained consultant
Summary
There is evidence that meal replacements (MRs) are effective in facilitating weight loss in the context of intense multidisciplinary support. Hemysfield [1] conducted a meta-analysis comparing partial meal replacement programs (PMRPs) to traditional energy restricted food based diets, and found MRs resulted in a 7% loss in body weight at three months compared to 3% in traditional diets, which equated to about 2.5 kg greater weight loss at three months in the MR group. Weight loss at one year was 7%–8% in the MR group compared to 3%–7% on traditional diets. Of the MR group had lost ě5% of their body weight compared to 33% on traditional diets (p < 0.001). Weight loss success following a prescription of MRs is generally achieved with through multidisciplinary professional support and provided at no cost to participants in research studies
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