What's Happening?
Endocrinologist Leigh Perreault, MD, from the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, has developed a new weight management system called PATHWEIGH. This system aims to address weight management more effectively in primary care settings by
focusing on dedicated clinic visits for weight-related care. The program was implemented across UCHealth's 56 primary care clinics in Colorado, involving 274,182 patients. Results published in Nature Medicine indicate that PATHWEIGH reduced population weight gain by 0.58 kg over 18 months, shifting the trend from weight gain to weight loss. The program also increased the likelihood of patients receiving weight-related care by 23%. PATHWEIGH is now being considered as a potential standard of care by several health systems across the U.S.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of PATHWEIGH is significant as it addresses the growing obesity epidemic in the U.S. by providing a structured approach to weight management in primary care. By reducing population weight gain and increasing access to weight-related care, the program has the potential to improve public health outcomes significantly. The success of PATHWEIGH in Colorado suggests that similar programs could be effective nationwide, potentially reducing the burden of obesity-related health issues and healthcare costs. The program's ability to customize treatment for individual patients and reduce the stigma associated with weight discussions in medical settings further enhances its impact.
What's Next?
Following the success of PATHWEIGH in Colorado, plans are underway to expand the program to other states. The Obesity Association is considering PATHWEIGH as a recommended care process in its upcoming standards of care for obesity. Additionally, five health systems across seven states are exploring the adoption of PATHWEIGH, with efforts to license the model. This expansion could lead to broader implementation of effective weight management strategies across the U.S., potentially transforming how obesity is addressed in primary care.
