# Primary care-led weight-management intervention: qualitative insights into patient experiences at two-year follow-up

## TL;DR

This study explores how patients maintain weight loss over two years in a primary care program, emphasizing the role of self-monitoring and support systems.

## Contribution

The study provides qualitative insights into long-term weight loss maintenance strategies and challenges in a primary care setting.

## Key findings

- Agile self-monitoring and sustainable lifestyle habits correlate with successful long-term weight loss.
- Supportive peer networks and healthcare professionals are crucial for maintaining motivation and progress.
- Challenges such as anxiety and disruptions can hinder long-term weight loss success.

## Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is continuously increasing globally and long-term weight loss intervention outcomes remain disappointing. To determine which behavioural intervention approaches improve the probability of achieving long-term weight loss, this two-year follow-up study aimed to identify distinct factors and strategies for successful long-term weight loss maintenance.

A cohort of 20 participants with overweight and obesity from a primary-care led weight management programme with diverse backgrounds was interviewed at baseline, after 1 and 2 years, and asked to do quantitative self-description. This study focused on the 2-year follow-up interviews from this study series.

We found that agile, continuous self-monitoring with personalized, sustainable lifestyle habits correlated with positive outcomes. Participants reported health benefits, maintained weight loss, and found motivation in supportive peer networks. Challenges like anxiety, disappointment, and disruptions derailed progress. Long-term success relied on a strong support system of healthcare professionals, friends, and family.

The findings of this study series highlight the intricate nature of long-term weight loss maintenance. This study corroborates the persistence of overarching themes while highlighting the individual variability in their relative importance. Findings emphasize the importance of long-term support to effectively address the diverse needs of patients trying to achieve long-term weight loss maintenance.