A Provider’s Guide to Weight Loss through Motivational Interviewing

Abstract

Abstract Obesity is an epidemic in the United States affecting millions of adults with many considered overweight or obese. An evidence-based quality improvement project was conducted in a primary care office with 33 adult participants that were considered obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30. Participants were recruited through clinic flyers and were given a cover letter that outlined the project; if interested, verbal consent was obtained. Two Nurse Practitioners used motivational interviewing (MI) techniques to assess what stage of contemplation about weight (WT) loss the individual was currently in. Waist circumference (WC), WT, and BMI were recorded during an initial visit. Participants were provided with informational pamphlets as resources to take home regarding approaches for healthier eating and physical activities, along with proper goal setting for WT management. Telephone callbacks to discuss progress toward care goals and to record home WT with participants were made at weeks two and four in-between office visits. On the final 6-week follow up visit, scripted MI techniques were used to assess if the patient’s state of contemplation had changed along with rechecking individual’s WC, WT, and BMI. As a group, the total WT loss was 170.9 pounds, average WC reduction was 1.4 inches with a decrease of 0.89 in BMI. Providers are an important source of interpersonal influence and can use MI techniques to engage in health promoting behaviors, such as WT loss, when a known state of change is identified.

Key Words: Body Mass Index (BMI); Evidence-based practice (EBP); Obesity; Motivational Interviewing (MI); Weight (WT); Waist circumference (WC); Telephone callbacks