A service evaluation exploring the effectiveness of a locally commissioned tier 3 weight management programme offering face-to-face, telephone and digital dietetic support

Obesity continues to be a global health problem with significant costs associated with management, treatment, and obesity‐related comorbidities. Tier 3 weight management programmes support patients with complex obesity and traditionally offer interventions through face‐to‐face delivery. In this study, a service evaluation compared weight loss for adults with a BMI ≥ 45 kg/m2 or ≥ 40 kg/m2 with a comorbidity, who were offered a non‐randomized dietetic intervention through face‐to‐face, telephone, or digital support using the Oviva smartphone app as part of a tier 3 weight management programme. One hundred and sixty‐nine patients commenced the core programme. There were no significant differences in weight loss between patients receiving face‐to‐face (5.3 ± 5.5 kg [−4.1%]), telephone (−4 ± 5.3 kg [−3.4%]) and digital support (−6.1 ± 4.9 kg [−4.5%]) (P = .061), with data reported as intention‐to‐treat using baseline observation carried forward imputation. Completer data were also analysed at an optional 12‐week follow‐up where weight loss was maintained with no significant differences between face‐to‐face (−7.6 ± 9.3 kg [−5.6%]) and digital support (−9.2 ± 7.6) kg [−6.8%]) (P = .135). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the acceptability of the interventions (P = .261). Due to the potential scalability, resource, and cost‐savings of digital care, and improvement in accessibility for some people, digital delivery of weight management programmes should be considered as a care option in weight management services