title: Weight loss from three commercial providers of NHS primary care slimming on referral in North Somerset: service evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of provider, gender and obesity class on outcomes of National Health Service (NHS) slimming on referral.
  
  
  METHODS
  Service evaluation in 12 UK general practices. Obese patients aged ≥16 were referred for 12 sessions to one of three commercial providers. Outcomes at 12 weeks were attendance, BMI, total and percentage weight loss, 5% and 5 kg weight loss and comparison across providers. Linear and multiple regression analyses were used, adjusting for confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand four hundred and forty patients were referred; 1047 receiving vouchers and 880 attending at least one session. The mean weight change was -4.8 kg (95% CI: -5.1 to -4.5) and the percentage bodyweight loss was -4.6% (standard deviation: 3.7). Weight Watchers patients lost more weight [-1.15 kg (95% confidence interval, CI: -1.25, -1.04), P < 0.001] and were more likely to lose 5% bodyweight [odds ratio: 1.81 (95% CI: 1.78, 1.83), P < 0.001] than those attending the provider with the least weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NHS slimming on referral can successfully achieve short-term weight loss. Patients attending Weight Watchers were most likely to lose weight than those attendingother providers.
authors.affiliation: NHS North Somerset, PO Box 238, Castlewood, Tickenham Road, Clevedon, BS21 9AX, UK. karin.dixon@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Karin J L
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shcherba
authors.forename: Ruth R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kipping
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data