The implementation of the Counterweight Programme in Scotland, UK

Counterweight Project Team, et al. (2012) The implementation of the Counterweight Programme in Scotland, UK. Family Practice, 29(suppl), i139-i144. (doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmr074) (PMID:22399544)

Abstract

<b>Background.</b> The Counterweight Programme is a proven model for the management of obesity in the UK, evaluated over 5 years (2000–05) and demonstrating clinical and cost effectiveness. The Scottish Government commissioned three phases of Counterweight implementation during the period 2006–08. The first two phases linked the Counterweight Programme to a primary care cardiovascular disease prevention programme; the third phase was commissioned independent of other interventions.<p></p> <b>Aim.</b> To assess the implementation of the Counterweight Programme in 13 Health Boards in Scotland and compare 12-month outcomes with published Counterweight data.<p></p> <b>Methods.</b> Patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 or BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 with at least one co-morbidity were screened for the Counterweight Programme. Patients were asked to attend nine structured appointments with a trained Counterweight Programme practitioner over 12 months.<p></p> <b>Results.</b> Six thousand seven hundred and fifteen patients from 184 general practices, 16 pharmacies and one centralized community-based service in 13 Health Boards, with a mean BMI of 37 kg/m2 were enrolled in the Counterweight Programme. Twenty-six per cent had a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Attendance for patients at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up was 55%, 37% and 28%. Of those who attended at 12 months, 35.2% had maintained a weight loss of ≥5% compared to 30.7% in the original evaluation.<p></p> <b>Conclusions.</b> Evaluation of the Counterweight Programme in Scotland demonstrated consistency in characteristics of patients enrolled into the programme. There was evidence of higher loss to follow-up in a population not routinely engaging with primary care but evidence of greater weight losses among those who attended.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The Counterweight Project Team all contributed as co-authors.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McLoone, Mr Philip and Morrison, Dr David and Lean, Professor Michael and Sloan, Mr Billy
• Authors: Counterweight Project Team, , Bell-Higgs, A. E., Brosnahan, N. T., Anne M Clarke, , Dow, M. S., Haynes, S. M., Lyons, G. F., McCombie, E. L., Mongia, S., Noble, P. A., Quinn, M. F., Ross, H. M., Regan, P. J., Thompson, F. E., Vermeulen, A., Broom, J. I., Reckless, J. P., Kumar, S., Lean, M. E., Frost, G. S., Finer, N., Haslam, D. W., Morrison, D., Sloan, B., and McLoone, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Family Practice
• ISSN: 0263-2136
• ISSN (Online): 1460-2229