Evaluation of a Weight Management Program for Veterans

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
• Personal Author:
  Littman, Alyson J. ; Boyko, Edward J. ; McDonell, Mary B. ; Fihn, Stephan D.
• Description:
  Introduction
  
  To improve the health of overweight and obese veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans. The aim of this evaluation was to assess its reach and effectiveness.
  
  Methods
  
  We extracted data on program involvement, demographics, medical conditions, and outcomes from VA administrative databases in 4 Western states. Eligibility criteria for MOVE! were being younger than 70 years and having a body mass index (BMI, in kg/m2) of at least 30.0, or 25.0 to 29.9 with an obesity-related condition. To evaluate reach, we estimated the percentage of eligible veterans who participated in the program and their representativeness. To evaluate effectiveness, we estimated changes in weight and BMI using multivariable linear regression.
  
  Results
  
  Less than 5% of eligible veterans participated, of whom half had only a single encounter. Likelihood of participation was greater in women, those with a higher BMI, and those with more primary care visits, sleep apnea, or a mental health condition. Likelihood of participation was lower among those who were younger than 55 (vs 55-64), widowed, current smokers, and residing farther from the medical center (≥30 vs <30 miles). At 6- and 12-month follow-up, participants lost an average of 1.3 lb (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.6 to −0.02 lb) and 0.9 lb (95% CI, −2.0 to 0.1 lb) more than nonparticipants, after covariate adjustment. More intensive treatment (≥6 encounters) was associated with greater weight loss at 12 months (−3.7 lb; 95% CI, −5.1 to −2.3 lb).
  
  Conclusion
  
  Few eligible patients participated in the program during the study period, and overall estimates of effectiveness were low.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Female Humans Male Middle Aged Obesity Original Research Program Evaluation Treatment Outcome Veterans Weight Loss
• Source:
  Prev Chronic Dis. 9.
• ISSN:
  1545-1151
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  9
• Collection(s):
  Preventing Chronic Disease
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f70d69d3f126ab31eaa9c66691b70db830c4822097a9caa8717db8af2c7a70c04ace29e76549a596ac245e46c12652440d78fe02d1602f7aba70d0dda9e8b540
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/19833/cdc_19833_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 307.90 KB ]