An Analysis of the Relationship between a Novel Weight Loss Contract, Weight Loss Protocols, and Actual Weight Loss
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aims: In this study, we aim to determine the impact that compliance with weight loss protocols can have on weight management for patients after initial staging of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated medical records for patients seen between 2020 and 2022 for a FibroScan exam, application of a weight loss protocol, and recording of their weight change from the date of their first appointment through August 2023. Results: We analyzed the data for a cohort of 871 patients who were 65% female and whose mean age was 50.91 years. These 871 patients were all seen by La Maestra Community Health Center's Liver Clinic for a Fibroscan and were advised weight loss. Five hundred sixty of these patients complied with at least 1 weight loss protocol step (signing weight loss contract, receiving health education, meeting with a dietician and/or following up regarding weight loss) and lost significantly more weight than the 311 patients who did not (-3.39 lbs v -0.90 lbs; P < 0.01, 95% Cl, 1.11-1.97). Conclusion: Taken together, our data demonstrate that patients who are more compliant with weight management protocols are shown to have substantially more weight loss.
Institutions: VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413041133