title: The evaluation of a telephonic wellness coaching intervention for weight reduction and wellness improvement in a community-based cohort of persons with serious mental illness.
abstract: Obesity and metabolic disturbances frequently occur in individuals with psychiatric disorders. This study evaluates a telephonically delivered lifestyle coaching intervention aimed at weight reduction and wellness improvement in psychiatric outpatients. A cohort of 761 participants was prospectively followed up for a period of 12 months. Lifestyle coaching was administered telephonically on a weekly basis for the first 3 months and monthly thereafter. During the study period, there was a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference as well as a significant increase in general health in the completer group. A total of 46% of the participants lost 5% or more of their baseline weight. Significant predictors of attrition at baseline were the presence of metabolic syndrome, younger age, chronic illness, and the diagnosis of a mood disorder. Dropout was significantly less in those participants who received support from a nominated caregiver. Telephonic lifestyle coaching is feasible in this population.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Education Centre, Valkenberg Hospital, Private Bag X1, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; †Virgin Life Care (Pty) Ltd, South Africa; and ‡School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Temmingh
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Claassen
authors.forename: Sandi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Zyl
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carrara
authors.forename: Nyameka Matross
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Dayakalashe
authors.forename: Landon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Myer
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult