Evaluation of an online cognitive behavioural therapy weight loss programme as an adjunct to anti-obesity medications and lifestyle interventions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Obesity is a global pandemic with psychological, physical and metabolic consequences including in people with mental health conditions. Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are available to treat obesity and can produce clinically meaningful weight loss but do not address associated psychological issues. We evaluated the usefulness and acceptability of an adjunct online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for improving psychological outcomes.

METHOD

We conducted a real-world 26-week observational study of 120 adults attending an obesity clinic who undertook a comprehensive weight management programme that included standard diet and exercise interventions, an AOM and an online 10-module CBT intervention. Baseline and 26-week psychological, metabolic and physical measures were compared.

RESULTS

At 26 weeks, depression, anxiety, stress and emotional eating levels for the sample decreased significantly compared to baseline (all < .01). Satisfaction and acceptability were highly rated. The mean weight loss was 8.13 ± 3.83%. Mean waist circumference reduction was 7.62 ± 3.4 cm.

DISCUSSION

Online CBT has the potential to be a useful adjunct to AOMs and lifestyle interventions for providing psychological support as shown by improvement in mental health, emotional eating and acceptability scales. This warrants further investigation through a randomised controlled trail.