Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a multidisciplinary, behavioural obesity treatment program on weight management, physical improvements and health-related quality of life.

Material and methods: The participants counted 47 women aged 20-60 years. The measurement period was from October 2007-July 2009 and a median time between measurements was six months. Measurements: height (cm), weight (kg), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), cycle ergometer fitness test (w/kg), electrocardiogram, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm). Different dimensions of mental and physical health were assessed using validated questionnaires: SF-36v2^TM of health-related quality of life, OP scale of psychosocial functioning in the obese, BAI anxiety inventory scale and BDI-II depression inventory scale.

Results: BMI decreased on average by 3.9 kg/m² (p<0.001). The total maximum output (watts) during the fitness test increased on average by 12% (p<0.001), fitness (w/kg) increased by 21% (p<0.001) and VO₂max (ml/kg/min) by 18% (p<0.001). A decrease was noted in blood pressure as well as resting heart rate (p<0.05) at the end of the program. The results from the questionnaires showed improvements in quality of life and psychological well being (p<0.001).

Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of comprehensive weight management and emphasize the importance of permanent lifestyle changes for the patients.

 

 

 

Table I. Anthropometric indices and body composition
	N	M 1	M 2	p values
Body weight (kg)	47	127,2 (16,1)	116,0 (14,8)	<0,001
Body mass index (kg/m2)	47	44,6 (5,1)	40,7 (4,9)	<0,001
Waist circumference (cm)	45	118,7 (11,2)	111,2 (11,1)	<0,001
Percent fat (%)	47	49,8 (2,0)	47,7 (2,4)	<0,001
Fat mass (kg)	47	63,5 (10,0)	55,6 (9,3)	<0,001
Fat-free mass (kg)	47	63,6 (6,4)	60,4 (5,9)	<0,001
N=number of subjects, M 1=measurement 1, M 2=Measurement 2 Mean (standard deviation)

 

Table II. Cycle ergometer test – workload and heart rate

N

M 1

M 2

p values

Watts max (w)

46

166,4 (30,0)†

186,8 (30,7)†

<0,001

Fitness (w/kg)

46

1,3 (0,3)†

1,6 (0,3)†

<0,001

V´O2max (ml/kg/min)

46

21,0 (3,4)†

24,7 (3,7)†

<0,001

HR rest (beats/min)

46

86,0 (14,5)†

80,7 (11,7)†

0,013

HR min (beats/min)

46

93,5 (13,3)†

87,5 (11,2)†

0,002

HR max (beats/min)

46

166,5 (155,8;176,0)‡

163 (154,5;174,0)‡

0,102

HR after 1 min (beats/min)

46

144,4 (15,1)†

136,4 (16,7)†

<0,001

HR after 3 min (beats/min)

45

116,9 (15,5)†

109,8 (14,3)†

<0,001

N=number of subjects, M 1=measurement 1, M 2=measurement 2, V´O2max=maximal oxygen uptake, HR rest=resting heart rate, HR min=minimal heart rate, HR max=maximal heart rate †Mean (standard deviation), ‡median (interquartile range)

Table III. Cycle ergometer test – blood pressure

N

M 1

M 2

p values

SBP rest (mmHg)

46

135,3 (13,1)†

117,9 (11,2)†

<0,001

DBP rest (mmHg)

46

90,0 (80,0;95,0)‡

80,0 (80,0;90,0)‡

<0,001

SBP max (mmHg)

46

207,9 (18,5)†

189,9 (21,4)†

<0,001

DBP max (mmHg)

46

90,0 (84,8;100)‡

95,0 (88,8;101,3)‡

0,002

N=number of subjects, M 1=measurement 1, M 2=measurement 2, SBP rest=systolic blood pressure at rest, DBP rest=diastolic blood pressure at rest, SBP max=maximal systolic blood pressure, DBP max=maximal diastolic blood pressure †Mean (standard deviation), ‡median (interquartile range)

Table IV. Questionnaires – scores

N

M 1

M 2

p values

BAI

46

11,0 (5,0;19,3)‡

3,0 (2,0;5,3)‡

<0,001

BDI-II

46

20,0 (11,0;30,0)‡

3,0 (1,0;7,0)‡

<0,001

OP scale

43

53,8 (24,4)†

30,6 (21,5)†

<0,001

SF-36 Physical health (PCS)

43

39,4 (9,2)†

47,0 (7,3)†

<0,001

SF-36 Mental health (MCS)

43

39,5 (31,2;53,9)‡

55,3 (50,6;59,0)‡

<0,001

N=number of subjects, BAI=Beck anxiety inventory scale, BDI-II=Beck depression inventory scale, OP scale=obesity-related problems scale, SF-36=short form-36 health survey, PCS=physical component summary, MCS=mental component summary †Mean (standard deviation), ‡median (interquartile range)