Aims

• To monitor enrolment and attendance of patients referred from primary care to a Slimming World group
• To identify factors associated with successful participation including NHS subsidies to help with the cost of scheme membership
• To gather baseline data to help plan future interventions comparing referral schemes with other forms of intervention

Method

Two large inner city practices took part in the study with 107 patients recruited between Sept 2001 and Feb 2002. Referral criteria were: BMI>30kg/m², aged 18-75yrs, not pregnant and no attendance of a slimming group in the previous 3 months. Ethical approval was obtained.

Patients were given vouchers for free membership and 12 consecutive weeks’ attendance at a local Slimming World group of their choice. It was imperative that people attending through the Slimming World on Referral scheme would not be made to feel different in any way. Patients were encouraged to stay in the programme after 12 weeks after which time they became responsible for their own weekly fees. Patients were reviewed by the primary care team at 12 and 24 weeks.

Protocol

Weight change was monitored weekly and a series of questionnaires (Q1 - Q6) was designed to evaluate the study, in addition to weight change being used as outcome. The questionnaires collected socioeconomic data as well as information relating to general health, lifestyle, motivation to lose weight and experience of the group. Barriers to patients continuing to attend the group, within the initial 12 week free period and the subsequent 12 weeks, were identified.

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