Evaluation of a weight management service in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Abstract

Background: There is a growing demand for specialist weight management services across Australia, yet publicly funded weight management services are lacking, with limited data on the effectiveness of these services.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of a regional specialist weight management service on weight loss and weight loss maintenance, and to determine attrition rates of this service.

Methods: A prospective evaluation of adults who attended the publicly funded Top End Weight Management Service, with their first appointment between August 2021 and August 2023 and follow-up period of at least 12 months. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyse changes in absolute and percent body weight between the initial visit and at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results: Of the 81 patients, 40% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, 59 (73%) were still attending the service at 3 months, 48 (59%) at 6 months and 39 (48%) at 12 months. Median weight change at 3 months was -6.0 kg and -4.7%. Median weight change at 6 months was -7.9 kg and -5.6%, and at 12 months was -11.3 kg and -8.5% for participants in the weight management service. At 12 months, 62% achieved at least 5% weight loss and 44% achieved at least 10% weight loss.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that clinically meaningful weight loss and associated weight loss maintenance were achievable for a select population through a weight management service.