Pilot study evaluating the feasibility and initial outcomes of a primary care weight loss intervention with peer coaches.
The purpose of this single-group pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a novel approach to delivering weight loss treatment in primary care using peer coaches and targeting predominantly African American patients with diabetes or prediabetes.



Participants (N = 33) were recruited from a family medicine practice for a 6-month lifestyle intervention. Eligible patients were obese adults (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m(2)) with ≥1 additional cardiometabolic risk factor(s), including (1) elevated hemoglobin A1C or diagnosed diabetes, (2) elevated blood pressure, (3) elevated triglycerides, and/or (4) low high-density lipoprotein. The intervention included a combination of 12 group-based office visits with health professionals plus 12 individual phone contacts with peer coaches. Outcomes included weight loss, program adherence, and program satisfaction.



Participants (mean age = 56 ± 10 years; BMI = 42.9 ± 11.0 kg/m(2)) were predominantly female (88%) and African American (85%). Treatment resulted in a significant mean weight loss of -4.5 ± 7.2 kg, and approximately 27% of participants lost ≥5% of their initial body weight. Participants completed approximately 50% of the group visits and 40% of the telephone calls with peer coaches. Participants rated both components of the intervention favorably.



Results of this pilot study indicated that a primary care weight management program including group-based visits and peer-delivered telephone contacts achieved significant weight loss among predominantly African American patients with weight-related comorbidities, including diabetes and prediabetes. Additional research is needed to examine the long-term outcomes of this novel approach and to identify program components supporting patients' success.
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, AL (Dr Dutton, Ms Phillips, Ms Kukkamalla, Dr Cherrington, Dr Safford).
Gareth R
GR
Dutton
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, AL (Dr Dutton, Ms Phillips, Ms Kukkamalla, Dr Cherrington, Dr Safford).
Janice M
JM
Phillips
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, AL (Dr Dutton, Ms Phillips, Ms Kukkamalla, Dr Cherrington, Dr Safford).
Meghana
M
Kukkamalla
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, AL (Dr Dutton, Ms Phillips, Ms Kukkamalla, Dr Cherrington, Dr Safford).
Andrea L
AL
Cherrington
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, AL (Dr Dutton, Ms Phillips, Ms Kukkamalla, Dr Cherrington, Dr Safford).
Monika M
MM
Safford
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009819:Office Visits; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*