To investigate the effect and associated factors of multi-disciplinary team approach on weight loss in Chinese obese patients.

The multi-disciplinary team for obesity in Peking University First Hospital consists of 2 endocrinologists, 2 dieticians, 2 exercise therapists, a bariatric surgeon, an acupuncturist and several health educators. A total of 445 patients treated by multi-disciplinary team were recruited from June 2015 to June 2017, the mean age was (37.6±12.5) years old, with 293 females (65.8%) and 152 males (34.2%). Patients were followed up at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after their first visit. We analyzed body weight changes overs follow-up and factors that affected the successful rate in weight reduction using Logistic regression or chi-square analysis.

Body weight declined significantly at each follow-up visit compared with baseline (P<0.01), and the reduction at 6 months and 12 months of follow-up were significant compared with corresponding former visit [6 months vs 3 months: (87.2±20.2) vs (87.8±19.8) kg, P<0.01; 12 months vs 6 months: (86.7±19.0) vs (87.2±20.2) kg, P<0.01]. Defining body weight reduction over 5% as success, the rate of success was as high as 40.9%-50.9% during visits. Defining the reduction of body weight over 10% as success, the successful rate gradually increased from 13.2% to 26.9% during visits. Female, baseline body mass index, waist circumference and weight reduction in early treatment phase were associated with weight-loss success rate (all P<0.01). There was no correlation between the use of metformin and weight-loss success rate (P>0.05).

A multi-disciplinary approach to manage obesity could significantly achieve the goal of body weight reduction. Female, baseline body mass index, waist circumference and weight reduction in early treatment phase are associated with successful weight control.

Obesity; Weight control; Multi-disciplinary team; Follow-up study