Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung KYC (1), Leung YK (2), Leung YYC (2), Chan WMM (1)
Affiliation :
(1) KWC Community Health Care Office (2) NLTH Physiotherapy Department
Introduction :
According to World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with at least 2.8 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese. In Hong Kong, about 30% of the general adult population are obese, 20% are overweight (Hong Kong Population Health Survey 2014/15). Obesity imposes the risk of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease etc. Whereas WHO recommends strategy and actions to improve diets and physical activity patterns at the population level, a Medical Social Collaboration initiative, Obesity and Overweight Management Program was piloted with Islands District Health Centre Express (DHCE) to combat obesity.
Objectives :
1. To maintain or decrease body weight of the participants
2. To support the participants to maintain healthy life style in the community
Methodology :
Eligible persons who were a) living or working in Islands b) aged below 60 in priority c) with BMI >23kg/m2 d) with stable comorbidity for aerobic and strengthening exercise and e) capable to walk 16 steps of stair to reach the program venue on 1st floor were referred to Islands DHCE by NLTH Physiotherapy team. A 6-session program, consisting of education on obesity management, healthy diet and exercises was implemented. Goal of personal weight loss was set in the first session. Fast-track back-referral pathway was set up for participant if problems occur during the pilot. Pre and post-BMI, body weight, waist circumstance and body fat composition were measured. 2 bonus exercise sessions would be granted for those reached their goals.
Result & Outcome :
The pilot program was commenced on 1 September 2022. 7 clients were referred and 5 were successfully enrolled. 4 of them (80%) were male. Mean age of the participants was 53 years. They satisfied the sessions with ≥80% attendance rate. The mean BMI of the participants at the first session was 38 kg/m2. Mean weight and BMI of all participants were decreased by 2.2 kg and 0.8 kg/m2 respectively after 6-session program completed (on 27 October 2022). 4 of them (80%) had joined another Islands DHCE program, Fitness walking to exercise sustainably. With current successful experience, the program would be further expanded by recruiting patients from KWC Family Medicine department.
