title: Referral to a Commercial Weight Management Program in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A PILOT STUDY IN THE NETHERLANDS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the impact of a commercial weight management program on weight change in obese patients with coronary heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational, single-center pilot study in the Netherlands. Forty-five patients diagnosed with a recent acute coronary syndrome and a body mass index of >30 kg/m2 were recruited. The commercial weight management intervention (Weight Watchers) promotes a hypoenergetic and balanced diet, increased physical activity, and group support. The program included weekly 30-minute in-hospital meetings with an experienced coach. The program was offered in parallel with a cardiac rehabilitation program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five patients completed the program. Of these patients, 32 patients (91%) decreased body weight. Mean weight change was -5.8 kg (range: +0.6 kg to -15.4 kg), and 20 patients (57%) achieved the target of 5% weight loss of their initial weight. Twenty-seven patients continued the commercial weight loss program after 14 weeks, the mean followup of these patients was 34 weeks and their mean weight change was -9.1 kg (range: 0.0-23.0 kg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese patients, discharged after an acute coronary syndrome, who were referred to a commercial weight management program, achieved significant weight loss. Although this is a nonrandomized pilot study with patients who were selected by motivation and by the ability to participate in the program, the proportion of weight loss is significant and promising.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Drs Minneboo and Peters); Department of Cardiology, Diakonessen Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Dr Bucx); and Weight Watchers International, New York (Mss Miller-Kovach and Lemmens).
authors.forename: Madelon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minneboo
authors.forename: Ron J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miller-Kovach
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.forename: Jeroen J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bucx
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs