Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome in an Interdisciplinary Obesity Clinic: a Randomized Controlled Study

Eligible participants recruited from patients, referred through the obesity clinic were separated into two groups.

The interdisciplinary treatment group received interventions at our clinic for 6 months.. The intervention included a visit every 6 weeks including a nursing consultation (listening, psychological support, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure), an endocrinologist consultation, a nutritionist consultation (initial evaluation of food intake and counselling), a psychologist consultation if needed, an interactive group information session (to discuss the following: diet, psychological aspects associated with obesity, physical education, complications and pharmacological treatments of obesity), and a questionnaire on the individual costs of their visit.

A control group was monitored during this 6 months by their family physician, as per usual.

A biological assessment, questionnaires, and tests will be carried out in beginning and end of program: the questionnaires are to evaluate the physical activity (Sallis, Canada fitness survey); the quality of life (IWQOL-Lite, SF-36); the motivation (analogical visual Scales); knowledge (pretest and post-test); and costs. Tests to assess physical activity (6-minute walk test and accelerometer) will also be administered.

After the first 6 months, both groups were followed at the obesity clinic for another 12 months.

Criteria Inclusion:

• referred to the obesity clinic by a medical doctor;
• BMI > 27 kg/m²; (Body Mass Index)
• metabolic associated syndrome according to the definition of the NCEP-ATP III
• be able to give an inform consent

Criteria Exclusion:

• Impossibility to be present at the visits
• Physical/motor incapacity (or other) making one unable and insecure to walk at a moderate to rapid speed for 6 min and more
• Use of an anti-obesity treatment the last 3 months
• Bariatric Surgery in the past
• Planned Pregnancy
• Pacemaker