Telephone based weight loss intervention: Relevance for developing countries

Abstract

Obesity is a major public health challenge not only for developed but developing countries as well. The World Health Organization recommends the immediate use of effective, efficient and widely accessible weight loss interventions. Telephone based weight loss intervention could provide a cheaper and wider reach of obese participants. Previous systematic reviews on telephone based weight loss interventions either excluded studies that had obese participants with co-morbidities or were silent on their inclusion. Obese/overweight individuals with co-morbidities constitute an important population in any weight loss intervention study due to the strong association of obesity with major chronic health conditions. This paper, reviews the efficacy of telephone based weight loss intervention solely in overweight/obese individuals with obesity related diseases and discusses its relevance for developing countries.

Telemedical Coaching Improves Long-Term Weight Loss in Overweight Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Continuous external feedback not only offers patients an additional contact person for medical questions regarding healthy diet and physical activity but also supports patients to further focus on their goals and stay motivated [ 24 ]. Furthermore, telephonically delivered lifestyle coaching interventions have been shown to support weight reduction and improve quality of life in different cohorts, even in patients with serious mental illnesses [ 19 , 25 ].…”

Total Lifestyle Coaching: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mind–Body and Nutrition Telephone Coaching Program for Obese Adults at a Community Health Center

“… 20 , 21 Interventions incorporating telephone coaching as a delivery model have demonstrated improvements in a number of metabolic syndrome parameters as well as weight loss and improvements in health behaviors. 20 – 23 …”

“… 20 Some of the active ingredients in these telephone coaching interventions include working one-on-one with participants to develop specific, individualized behavioral and diet plans, encouraging participants to weigh themselves and report to the coach throughout the program, and personal relationships established between the coach and patients. 21 – 23 In addition, the frequency of calls during a telephone-based intervention may influence success, with more calls associated with lower fat and higher fiber intake and greater weight loss. 23 Studies have successfully used telephone coaching to deliver multimodal behavior change interventions, including the Diabetes Prevention Program, consisting of goal-setting, self-monitoring, diet/activity modification, and problem-solving.…”

“… 21 – 23 In addition, the frequency of calls during a telephone-based intervention may influence success, with more calls associated with lower fat and higher fiber intake and greater weight loss. 23 Studies have successfully used telephone coaching to deliver multimodal behavior change interventions, including the Diabetes Prevention Program, consisting of goal-setting, self-monitoring, diet/activity modification, and problem-solving. 21 , 22 …”