Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
Overweight, Obese, Weight loss, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Outpatient, Private practice, Frequency, Counseling, Follow up, Motivation interviewing, Behavioral counseling, Private health insurance
Department
Nutritional Science
Major
Nutrition Science
Abstract
The current study examines the association between number of counseling sessions and weight change over a 14 month period in overweight and obese adults as seen by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in an outpatient, insurance-based, telehealth, private practice setting. The aim of this research is to contribute evidence on frequency of care recommendations to help guide policy. It is hypothesized that the most effective weight-loss outcomes can be achieved when counseling is delivered consistently and frequently. The impact of this study has potential to support the expansion and coverage of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist services to address a population with rising obesity rates. A retrospective review of patient charts from a private practice office was conducted. All participants were recommended weekly consecutive one-on-one, 60 minute counseling sessions for weight-loss. Participants initial weight was compared to their final weight recording as a percentage weight change. The participant's number of attended sessions and time between initial and final session was measured. To evaluate the association between age, gender, the number of sessions and percentage body weight change, an associational analysis was calculated. This pilot study identified preliminary evidence via observational results of a positive relationship between session frequency and weight-loss. Among the 10 participants, 90% experienced some weight-loss with the majority (60%) achieving modest weight-loss between < 0 and < 3%. Three participants achieved >3% weight-loss, and one participant achieved clinically significant weight-loss of >5%. Fifty percent of participants demonstrated moderate (2-3 sessions per month) attendance, 30% demonstrated low attendance (1 session per month) and 20% participated with high attendance (>3 sessions monthly). Each additional session per month was associated with about 0.68% increased weight-loss. Participants lost an average of 1.53kg over the observation period. 90% of the sample population was female with the male participant in the moderate session frequency category. The average age of participants was 33.4 years old with participants in the high-frequency session attendance age 26-33 years old. The moderate session frequency group showed the largest mean weight-loss. The average months of participation was 9.4 with an average of 21.5 total number of sessions attended per participant. We conclude increased frequency of sessions is associated with improved body weight-loss outcomes.
Faculty Mentor
Sunnie DeLano
Location
Black Family Plaza Classroom 191
Start Date
10-4-2026 2:45 PM
End Date
10-4-2026 3:15 PM
Pilot Study: Consistency Matters: Session Frequency and Body Weight Loss Outcomes in Outpatient Nutrition Care
Black Family Plaza Classroom 191
The current study examines the association between number of counseling sessions and weight change over a 14 month period in overweight and obese adults as seen by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in an outpatient, insurance-based, telehealth, private practice setting. The aim of this research is to contribute evidence on frequency of care recommendations to help guide policy. It is hypothesized that the most effective weight-loss outcomes can be achieved when counseling is delivered consistently and frequently. The impact of this study has potential to support the expansion and coverage of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist services to address a population with rising obesity rates. A retrospective review of patient charts from a private practice office was conducted. All participants were recommended weekly consecutive one-on-one, 60 minute counseling sessions for weight-loss. Participants initial weight was compared to their final weight recording as a percentage weight change. The participant's number of attended sessions and time between initial and final session was measured. To evaluate the association between age, gender, the number of sessions and percentage body weight change, an associational analysis was calculated. This pilot study identified preliminary evidence via observational results of a positive relationship between session frequency and weight-loss. Among the 10 participants, 90% experienced some weight-loss with the majority (60%) achieving modest weight-loss between < 0 and < 3%. Three participants achieved >3% weight-loss, and one participant achieved clinically significant weight-loss of >5%. Fifty percent of participants demonstrated moderate (2-3 sessions per month) attendance, 30% demonstrated low attendance (1 session per month) and 20% participated with high attendance (>3 sessions monthly). Each additional session per month was associated with about 0.68% increased weight-loss. Participants lost an average of 1.53kg over the observation period. 90% of the sample population was female with the male participant in the moderate session frequency category. The average age of participants was 33.4 years old with participants in the high-frequency session attendance age 26-33 years old. The moderate session frequency group showed the largest mean weight-loss. The average months of participation was 9.4 with an average of 21.5 total number of sessions attended per participant. We conclude increased frequency of sessions is associated with improved body weight-loss outcomes.