Primary Care Protocol Leads to Population-Level Weight Loss, but Majority Miss Out on Care

A large-scale study conducted across Colorado has demonstrated that a primary care protocol can prevent population-wide weight gain, but only a quarter of eligible patients received weight-related care, researchers reported at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions.

The research, led by Dr. Leigh Perreault and colleagues at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, implemented the PATHWEIGH protocol in 56 primary care clinics over four years. The study involved 274,182 patients and used a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial design, where clinics transitioned from usual care to the intervention over time.

Patients in the intervention group had access to weight-specific visits and protocol tools, while those in usual care could discuss weight but lacked protocol resources. The results showed a modest average weight loss of 0.1 kg at 18 months among those who received the intervention. However, the protocol’s real impact was in preventing the typical population weight gain—those not in the intervention gained about 0.1 kg, while those in the intervention maintained their weight, effectively eliminating the expected gain.

Despite these positive findings, only 25% of patients with a BMI over 25 received weight-related care, highlighting a significant gap in access and engagement. The study also noted that encouraging patients to discuss weight management with their primary care physicians led to increased visits for obesity and boosted clinic revenue, suggesting both clinical and financial benefits for healthcare systems.

The findings underscore the potential of structured, scalable primary care interventions to address obesity at the population level, but also reveal the need for broader implementation and patient outreach to maximize impact.

Disclaimer

This article is based on preliminary research presented at a medical conference and has not yet undergone peer review or been published in a scientific journal. The information provided is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the researchers and may not reflect the official policy or position of any institution.