Wellness Coaching for Obesity: A Case Report

Abstract

D.S. presented to a medical and surgical weight-loss program to initiate bariatric surgery. He had made numerous attempts at weight loss to no avail and was taking steps toward bariatric surgery as a last viable option. D.S.'s health insurance provider required 3 months of supervised weight loss prior to approval for surgery, and this was initiated with a board-certified bariatrician (MD) and a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)/wellness coach.

D.S. presented with a body mass index (BMI) >40 and was classified as morbidly obese with comorbidities of high cholesterol and hyperglycemia and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knees. D.S. began the process outlined by his insurance company, meeting with the MD and RDN/wellness coach monthly. A plan was developed by D.S. and his RDN/wellness coach that alligned with his wellness vision, values, and lifestyle. D.S. ate meals and snacks at regular intervals throughout the day, consumed little to no red meat, increased his consumption of fruits and vegetables, and spent 1 hour daily in a swimming pool—walking, swimming, or both.

By the end of the 3-month period required by the insurance provider, D.S. had lost more than 30 lbs, improved his exercise capacity, no longer used a cane, and chose to continue with coaching rather than undergo bariatric surgery. D.S. continued to meet with the MD and RDN monthly for 1 year and averaged a 10-lb weight loss per month for a total of 120 lbs, normalizing his blood panels and improving his joint mobility. D.S. continued to meet with the RDN/wellness coach for a total of 10 visits during year 2 and quarterly visits through year 3. D.S. lost a total of 240 lbs, maintained the weight loss over the 3-year period, and achieved these results solely through lifestyle interventions.

Although bariatric surgery is a viable treatment option for class 2 and 3 obesity, many patients pursue this treatment option without the help of medical and commercial weight loss personnel to improve the likelihood of weight loss sustainability. The investment of lifestyle intervention in this circumstance was less than $5000 (exculsive of blood panels) compared with the $20 000 cost of bariatric surgery at the time of intervention.

INTRODUCTION

Although weight loss is difficult to achieve, weight maintenance has historically proven to be a greater challenge. As a result, bariatric surgery has become a standard treatment option for individuals who demonstrate the ability to achieve medically appropriate weight loss yet are unable to sustain the loss. Based on a literary review of existing research on weight maintainers, Elfhag and Rössner concluded that weight maintainers not only exhibit lifestyle behaviors predictably to enhance weight maintenance, they also have an internal motivation to lose weight, social support, better coping strategies and ability to handle life stress, self-efficacy, and autonomy; they also assume responsibility in life and are more psychologically strong and stable overall.¹

Wellness coaching is an emerging field with deep roots in psychology, professional coaching, and expertise in one or more areas of fitness, nutrition, and/or health promotion. Wellness coaching facilitates behavior change through building self-efficacy, knowledge, and resources to enable clients to be autonomous keepers of their health.² Increasing evidence suggests that obesity treatment is not a matter of willpower but rather a complex disorder requiring effective strategies combining dietary and physical activity using behavioral interventions.³ Further, successful intervention helps people move beyond deciding what to change and helps them identify how to change.⁴

The traditional healthcare approach to weight loss and many consumer-driven weight-loss programs tend to provide education, often without increasing knowledge, and prescribe treatment with little to no input from the patient/client as to the approach. This is often a “one-size-fits-all” approach to a chronic disease with many variables contributing to the individual's etiology.

PRESENTING CONCERNS

D.S. is a 55-year-old white male who presented to a medical and surgical weight loss program to initiate bariatric surgery. He had “tried everything” to no avail and saw bariatric surgery as his “last hope.” He had attempted and documented more than 5 years of attempts at weight loss, including commercial weight-loss programs, popular diet books, and physician-prescribed weight loss. D.S presented with a body mass index (BMI) of >40 and was classified as obese class 3 with comorbidities of high cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] > 140 and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] < 40); hyperglycemia with blood glucose > 120; and degenerative joint disease (DJD), requiring that he walk with a cane. He worked at an “active” job in construction management but engaged in little activity outside of work.

D.S. has two grown children, one of whom also had a chronic weight problem. His family was somewhat supportive, as were his social network and extended family. He was less than 5 years from retirement when he initiated contact with the facility and aspired to an active retirement.

DIAGNOSTIC FOCUS AND ASSESMENT

D.S.'s diagnosis of obesity class 3 was based on his height (6 ft, 5 in) and weight (450 lbs). This was the focus of his diagnosis and treatment at our facility. D.S. was referred to a clinical psychologist per pre–bariatric surgery protocol for testing, which was normal and did not indicate a need for further treatment. Each visit was initially covered by insurance; however, when the boardcertified bariatrician (MD) visits were discontinued, D.S. paid out of pocket for the registered dietician nutritionis (RDN)/wellness coach.

THERAPEUTIC FOCUS AND ASESMENT

D.S.'s insurance provider required 3 months of supervised weight loss prior to approval for bariatric surgery, and it was begun in-house with the MD and RDN/wellness coach. D.S. began the process outlined by his insurance company with expectations of a means to bariatric surgery and met with the appropriate professionals at the center, both of whom used a coaching or motivational interviewing approach. Following wellness coaching practice, D.S.'s RDN/ wellness coach guided D.S. in developing a wellness vision. D.S., his MD, and his RDN/wellness coach then developed a lifestyle plan that aligned with his wellness vision, values, and lifestyle. D.S. would eat at regular 3- to 4-hour intervals throughout the day, consume little to no red meat, increase his consumption of fruits and vegetables, and add exercise to his routine. D.S. continued to consume a large bagel and cream cheese for breakfast 5 days per week. At his first return visit 1 month later, D.S. commented, “I've never tried anything close to this before; it's not too hard!” D.S. met monthly with his MD and RDN/wellness coach, evaluating outcomes data of weight loss and goal achievment. He revisited his wellness vision every 3 months and set new behavior goals weekly.

By the end of the 3-month period required by his insurance provider, D.S. had lost more than 30 lbs, improved his exercise capacity, did not require a cane to walk, and chose to continue with coaching rather than undergo weight loss surgery. D.S. continued to adopt an eating pattern that was more plantbased and lower in saturated fat and animal proteins yet still contained elements that would be considered “failures” in mainstream “diets.” D.S. spent 1 hour in the pool daily without fail, first walking, then combining walking and swimming, and ultimately swimming laps.

D.S. continued to meet monthly with the MD and RDN for 1 year and averaged a 10-lb weight loss per month for a total of 120 lbs, bringing his cholesterol panel and blood glucose level within normal limits. D.S. continued bimonthly visits with the RDN/wellness coach for an additional year and then quarterly visits for a third year. His total weight loss was 240 lbs, which was maintained during the last year of treatment. Durning the last year, D.S. recieved a total knee replacement and was back in the pool swimming laps 8 weeks after his surgery. Over 3 years, D.S. consistently made arrangements prior to travel for personal or business reasons to continue to swim daily.

OUTCOMES

D.S. lost a total of 240 lbs, delayed knee replacement surgery secondary to DJD for more than 24 months, and normalized his blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels. Further, he reported greatly improved quality of life, social life, and feelings of overall well-being. D.S. served as a role model for his adult children who also reported achieving the recommended weight for their height.

DISCUSSION

The strengths of this case report are attributed to the skills of the treatment team and the motivation and values of the patient. The team worked cooperatively and in a nontraditional healthcare approach using wellness coaching training and skills. The literature on the challenges to sustainable weight loss is exhaustive, leaving bariatric surgery as a viable treatment option. However, the traditional approaches and fad diets tend to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss and assume that the patient lacks motivation and discipline and that failure to maintain weight loss is inevitable. This case points to the need for and efficacy of a fresh approach in which the healthcare team is supportive, positive, and skilled in defining value-driven motivators, enhancing the likelihood and sustainability of weight loss.