Interactive mouse-over element: After deciding to take control of his health, and at 6ft 5in, Paul Hitchen stands tall since losing more than 10st 10lb. Interactive mouse-over element: Since losing 5 stones 11lbs Kathy Feeley's blood pressure, which was always high, is now normal. Interactive mouse-over element: Marie McQuarrie is celebrating losing an amazing 19 stones 1lb. Her diabetes readings have now become normal. Interactive mouse-over element: Ian Davies has lost 9½ stones and reduced his chest, waist and collar measurements by a total of 31”. Interactive mouse-over element: Claire Canny lost 3½ stones and now her IBS symptoms have all but disappeared. Interactive mouse-over element: At 9½ stones lighter, Sharon-Anne Young is thrilled at overcoming her breathlessness, lethargy and mobility problems. *
* Slimming World on Referral.
Tackling Obesity in Primary Care.
Click here to Start Your Scheme. (pop-up window). Research - Evidence Base.

Caption: Quote from Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World.

 

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A powerful, practical partnership.
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Download:


Tackling Obesity in Primary Care
(PDF, 646kb)

Download:


Slimming with Support from Slimming World
(PDF, 2mb)

Click here for further information on Slimming World
and Slimming World on Referral research, presentations and publications.

 

 

 


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Characteristics of study population

  • The average age of the participants was 49.5 years (range 22.5 to 77.5yrs)
  • 88% were female.
  • Average BMI was 36 kg/m² (range 30 - 47kg/m²), with 50% having a BMI above 35kg/m².
  • 11% of the study population were known to have diabetes.
  • 43.5% reported their household income to be below £10,000, 28.3% between £10,000-£20,000 and 28.3% above £20,000

 

Slimming World group attendance

  • Following recruitment, 91 (85%) participants enrolled with a Slimming World group.
  • Of these, 62 (58% of the total study population, 68% of the enrolled population) completed the 12 week free attendance at the group of their choice

 

Weight loss at 12 weeks

The 62 participants who completed 12 weeks achieved:

  • A mean weight loss of 5.4kb (11.9lb)
  • An average 6.4% loss of body weight
  • At least 5% weight loss in 35 (36%) participants

 

Those who did not complete the 12 week free attendance i.e. missed at least the final 2 sessions) were significantly more likely to:

  • be under 50 years of age
  • be worried about money
  • live in the most deprived areas
  • report no restriction in activity due to ill health

 

Continued attendance beyond the 12 free weeks

  • 47 (76%) participants who completed the subsidised 12 weeks decided to carry on attending the group electing to pay the weekly fee themselves
  • 10 (16%) indicated the weekly group fee was a barrier to continued attendance
  • 34 participants (37% of those initially enrolled) continued for the full 24 weeks of the study
  • Mean weight loss over 24 weeks was 11.1kg (24.4lb)
  • Participants lost and average 11.3% body weight. 25 (86%) achieved at least 5% weight loss
  • Improvements in well being were reported by many participants

Weight loss in patients completing 3 months
(pop-up window)

 

Qualitative data

Questionnaire data strongly supports the partnership between the health sector and Slimming World. Patients viewed the scheme very positively.

 

Patient feedback after the initial 12 weeks

"It has made me realise how much I needed the support of a group."

"Absolutely fantastic, I feel healthier, do more activities, look slimmer. My diet has changed dramatically, and my confidence has increased. Taking part and being involved with the surgery has inspired me to carry on, thank you."

"The group Consultant was excellent and very supportive. An excellent scheme which should have been done years ago." (male)

"I was grateful to go slimming though your scheme as being on a low income it is something difficult to budget for."

"I am pleased my surgery became involved with Slimming World. It gave myself, and others, an opportunity to learn good eating habits and achieve some weight loss, whilst sharing other people's problems of weight."

"Now having seen the benefits of the commitment, I am going to try and budget for the weekly fee!"

"I was helped at a time when I had very low self-esteem and financial problems."

"Had I not had the information from the surgery I would not have gone despite being overweight."

 

Patient feedback after 24 weeks

"Always made welcome, plenty of motivation, have made new friends which is a bonus."

"Excellent, I have lost 12 inches off my waist and my overall health has improved immensely."

"I have loads of energy and am able to do much more physical activity."

"I probably would not have done any slimming without this offer, now I'm only too happy to pay."

 

Conclusions

  • It is quite feasible to set up referral schemes from primary care into Slimming World groups with minimal extra resources for administration.
  • The required target of 5-10% weight loss for health improvement can be achieved in a significant percentage of patients referred to Slimming World.
  • Collaboration between the health and commercial sectors provided a realistic, cost effective and sustainable approach to support people in losing weight and maintaining weight loss.

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* Slimming World, Clover Nook Road, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 4RF
Telephone: 0844 892 0400 Fax: 0844 892 0401
www.slimming-world.com ..Slimming World Health Professional Resource Centre

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