天美传媒

Abstract

A multi-disciplinary weight management clinic was set up by a Medical Consultant, a specialist dietician and a consultant clinical psychologist to provide intensive, evidence based service to patients with complex obesity related physiological and psychological health needs. Results demonstrated that of the 19 attendees at the clinic, 15 achieved weight loss. 5 patients had commenced with the clinic in the previous 2 months so no weight data had been recorded for them. These results compare favourably to usual care where audit results demonstrated that only 50% of patients lost weight. For some, there is a deep emotional attachment to foods which they cannot just overcome by limiting their intake. Also, losing weight is much easier if a person is mentally prepared for it. For this reason the clinic focused on emotions and behaviours associated with weight and eating habits. Results demonstrated improvements in participant?s cognitive restraint, control of their eating patterns, reductions in emotional eating patterns, improved scores on a patient health questionnaire, reduced levels of perceived emotional stress, improvements in self-efficacy and an improved self perception of physical shape and size among attendees. This clinic represents an innovative weight management project offering not only medical and dietetic support but also intensive psychological treatment. The psychological outcomes justify this input as it is recognised that although losing weight is physical, the limitation can be psychological. Although relatively small numbers of patients have been through the clinic, the outcome results highlight the potential success of this model of treating obesity.

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