Obesity-Related Health Status Changes and Weight-Loss Treatment Utilization

BackgroundBehavioral weight-loss treatment can improve health, yet it is underutilized. Factors leading to initiation of weight-loss treatment are not well characterized. In particular, it is unknown whether changes in obesity-related health status contribute to weight-loss treatment initiation.PurposeTo determine if recent weight change or diagnosis of an obesity-related comorbidity was associated with utilization of a behavioral weight-loss program in an integrated healthcare setting.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study of 45,272 Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with BMI >30, logistic regression was used to examine whether recent weight change or obesity-related comorbidities newly diagnosed in the past 6 months were associated with initiation of a VA behavioral weight management program (called MOVE!) in 2010 or sustained MOVE! use (eight or more sessions). Weight change in prior year was categorized as >3% weight loss; weight stable (<3% change); or weight gain of 3%–4.9%, 5%–9.9%, or ≥10%. Data were analyzed in 2013.ResultsPatients were 91% male, 68% white, and had a mean age of 58 years. Patients were more likely to initiate treatment if they had ≥3% weight gain (3%–4.9%: OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.52, 1.77; 5%–9.9%: OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.84, 2.16; ≥10%: OR=2.68, 95% CI=2.32, 3.10) or were newly diagnosed with any obesity-related comorbidity (ORs: 2.14–3.59). Weight change and new comorbidity diagnoses were not associated, however, with sustained MOVE! use.ConclusionsAdverse obesity-related health events were associated with initiation of behavioral weight-loss treatment offered in an integrated healthcare setting.