Extrait

Background and study aims Obesity, a major cause of chronic disease, affects 1 in 4 adults. Even a small loss of weight is likely to reduce the risk of chronic diseases occurring, such as diabetes that are the consequence of being overweight. However no NHS treatment service exists and general practitioners (GPs) rarely discuss weight management with patients or support behaviour change. Recent evidence shows that attending a commercial weight management service (e.g. Weight Watchers) is more effective than any other widely available alternative weight loss intervention in primary care. Evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of brief, opportunistic interventions by GPs for tobacco control and problem drinking, yet no trial (study) has examined whether screening to identify overweight or obesity in adults and brief intervention are effective. Who can participate? Patients, male and female aged 18 and over with a body mass index [BMI] of 30+ kg/m2 (25+ kg/m2 for South Asian population groups) and excess body fat. What does the study involve? In the current study GPs will bring up the issue of weight with patients presenting to their GP for reasons other than weight management. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive one of two interventions. In the control group, the GP will encourage weight loss because this will benefit health. In the intervention group, GPs will advocate referral to a weight management service and make that referral immediately. They will also offer a review about a month later to check progress. The main outcome will be weight loss at one year, but we will also record participants' and GPs' reactions to both types of interventions. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Participating in the study may help patients to lose weight and improve their health, as well as possibly influence the treatment of obesity within primary care. We will compensate participants who attend their 12 month follow up appointment a small honorarium of £10.00 to cover the cost and inconvenience of attending. There is no reason to believe that this study will pose serious risks to participants; advice from the GP and an offer of referral to a weight management service is unlikely to create harm. However it is possible that some participants may find talking about their weight a sensitive issue. GPs and research staff will be trained in ways to approach the topic to avoid offending or upsetting participants. Where is the study run from? The Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU) at the University of Oxford is hosting the study. Research will take place in 60 sites (i.e. GP practices) in England, throughout Oxfordshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The total duration of the study will be 36 months, the study started in September 2012. Each patient will be enrolled on the day of recruitment and followed up for 12 months. Patient recruitment is expected to start in January 2013 and take 12 months. Who is funding the study? Medical Research Council (National Prevention Research Initiative - Phase 4) Who are the main contact(s)? Prof. Paul Aveyard [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Obesity in primary care

Liens

• isrctn
• ictrp