A pragmatic randomised controlled trial in primary care of the Camden Weight Loss (CAMWEL) programme

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate effectiveness of a structured one-to-one behaviour change programme on weight loss in obese and overweight individuals. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: 23 general practices in Camden, London. PARTICIPANTS: 381 adults with body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2) randomly assigned to intervention (n=191) or control (n=190) group. INTERVENTIONS: A structured one-to-one programme, delivered over 14 visits during 12 months by trained advisors in three primary care centres compared with usual care in general practice. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in weight, per cent body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate between baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: 217/381 (57.0%) participants were assessed at 12 months: missing values were imputed. The difference in mean weight change between the intervention and control groups was not statistically significant (0.70 kg (0.67 to 2.17, p=0.35)), although a higher proportion of the intervention group (32.7%) than the control group (20.4%) lost 5% or more of their baseline weight (OR: 1.80 (1.02 to 3.18, p=0.04)). The intervention group achieved a lower mean heart rate (mean difference 3.68 beats per minute (0.31 to 7.04, p=0.03)) than the control group. Participants in the intervention group reported higher satisfaction and more positive experiences of their care compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no significant difference in mean weight loss between the intervention and control groups, trained non-specialist advisors can deliver a structured programme and achieve clinically beneficial weight loss in some patients in primary care. The intervention group also reported a higher level of satisfaction with the support received. Primary care interventions are unlikely to be sufficient to tackle the obesity epidemic and effective population-wide measures are also necessary. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Trial registrationClincaltrials.gov NCT00891943.