e-Dietician in General Practice

Abstract

Obesity is according to WHO one of the greatest health challenges of our time. The aim of the pilot project was to investigate the weight loss efficacy and the cost of individual dietetic internet-based consultations in a Danish medical centre in combination with an internet community. A total of 46 obese patients in general practice were offered participation in a cohort study during May 15th to December 1st 2008. Patients from three different health centers were included. 32 patients gave informed consent to participate and were given access to weekly e-mail consultations with a dietician and access to an advanced internet community. The weight was objectively decided by inclusion and conclusion of the study. 22 (17 women and 5 men) of the 32 included patients completed the study. The average age was 41 years, the weight was 103 kg and the BMI was 36.7 kg/m2. After four months (42-168 days) of treatment and averagely 17 consultations the participants accomplished an average weight loss of 6.3 kg, p