The role of Healthy Life Centres in delivering weight management: a retrospective study

Introduction Healthy Life Centres (HLCs) in Turkey were established as primary health services to promote healthier lifestyle behaviours, aiming to reduce obesity and diseases linked to physical inactivity. This study aimed to investigate the weight management programme delivered by one HLC and to track the participants’ progress in terms of weight loss and adherence to the program. Methods This is a retrospective study. Participants consisted of adults aged ≥18 who attended the HLC for weight management from Sept 2017-June 2020. Data including attendance, age, gender, height and body weight were collected and analysed at 3, 6, 12-month time-points. Missing data was interpreted using last observed weight carried forward analysis (LOCF). Results Over a two-year period 2652 adults (88% female) consulted the nutrition counselling service, of whom, 43% attended once. Mean age of those attending once was 40.2 (12.35) years and age increased significantly with adherence. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was 31.4 (6.32) kg/m2. For those attending at the different time-points, weight loss was 4.4% of initial body weight at 3-months (n=841), 8.6% of initial body weight at 6-month (n=237), and 11.8% initial body weight at 12-month follow-up (n=56). LOCF analysis revealed a significant time effect for change in percentage body weight for the data collected at 6 and 12 months. Conclusion This programme was successful in reaching clinically meaningful weight loss at 3, 6, 12-month for the participants who committed to the weight management programme. However, there was a substantial decline in participant engagement, with only a 2% attendance rate at 12 months. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that nearly half of the clients attended only one session during the study period. The findings of the current study can be used to inform policy makers about the strengths and weaknesses of HLCs.