Patient-Delivered Care Shows Promise for Sustaining Weight Loss Better Than Traditional Professional Programs

Maintaining weight loss over the long term remains one of the greatest challenges faced by individuals and healthcare providers alike. Despite initial success with various weight management interventions, most people tend to regain the weight they lose within two to three years. Recognizing this persistent hurdle, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) considers weight-loss maintenance a critical focus area in obesity treatment research.

Recent groundbreaking research led by Tricia Leahey and Amy Gorin from the University of Connecticut offers new insights into this challenge. Their study emphasizes the potential effectiveness of patient-delivered care models for weight loss maintenance, suggesting a promising alternative to conventional professional-led programs.

Leahey, a clinical health psychologist, and Gorin, a psychological sciences professor, co-directed the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Their research explores how support from peers and mentors who have successfully managed their weight can aid individuals in sustaining their weight loss. It also investigates the long-term sustainability of such models versus traditional care provided by healthcare professionals.

The study involved a two-phase process. Initially, all participants took part in a 4-month online weight loss program based on the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, which educates on healthy eating and physical activity. Those who lost more than 5% of their body weight then moved to the maintenance phase, where they were randomly assigned to either a patient-delivered intervention or a standard professional-led care.

Results showed that participants in the patient-led program preserved their weight loss more effectively than those in the traditional care group. Not only did they maintain their weight, but they also experienced better health indicators, such as lower diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate. Moreover, those in the peer-support model engaged more in physical activity and sedentary behavior less.

This research highlights the potential for a cost-effective, sustainable approach to weight management that leverages the social support system among patients. Incorporating mentors—individuals who have successfully changed their health behaviors—and peers—fellow patients supporting each other—can foster ongoing motivation and accountability.

Leahey and Gorin’s findings suggest that patient-delivered interventions could revolutionize how long-term weight management programs are designed, emphasizing ongoing support outside traditional healthcare settings. This approach not only reduces costs but also empowers individuals to take charge of their health, potentially transforming obesity treatment paradigms.

In summary, patient-driven care models hold significant promise for improving weight-loss maintenance outcomes, promoting continuous health behavior change, and reducing the burden of obesity-related health issues.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-patient-weight-loss-maintenance-professional.html