Effect of nutritional counselling and nutritional plus exercise counselling in overweight adults: a randomized trial in multidisciplinary primary care practice

Methods. One hundred and thirty-four overweight adults (body mass index 28-35) were randomly assigned to individual counselling sessions by a dietician (D) or counselling sessions by a dietician plus physiotherapist (D + E) during 6 months with one follow-up session at 12 months. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Difference in changes of outcome measures between groups were analysed using generalized estimating equations. Results. Weight reduced from baseline to 6 months in D [-2.2 (-3.1 to -1.4) kg] and D + E [-3.0 (-4.0 to -2.0) kg] and was sustained at 12 months [-2.0 (-3.1 to -1.4) kg and -3.1 (-4.5 to -1.6) kg, respectively]. The reduction in weight did not significantly differ between D and D + E (P = 0.48). In both groups, waist circumference decreased from baseline to 6 months [-2.1 (-3.3 to -0.8) cm for D; -3.7 (-5.1 to -2.3) cm for D + E] and was sustained at 12 months [-2.1 (-3.5 to -0.7) cm and -4.2 (-6.0 to -2.5) cm, respectively]. Participants in D + E tended to decrease their waist circumference more than those in D (P = 0.14). Discussion. Nutritional counselling by a dietician resulted in modest reductions in weight and waist circumference in overweight adults, which were sustained up to 12 months. Adding exercise counselling by a physiotherapist did not significantly enhance the effect on body weight. Exercise counselling may, however, further improve waist circumference.