Interdisciplinary Weight Management in a Safety-Net Health System: A Pilot Implementation Study.

OBJECTIVE

Despite the high prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in safety-net populations, access to intensive, evidence-based lifestyle interventions and scalable implementation strategies remains limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of an interdisciplinary program in an urban safety-net health system.

METHODS

This single-center, mixed-methods implementation evaluation assessed LA VIDA, a 6-month interdisciplinary weight management program for medically complex individuals. Outcomes included feasibility, patient engagement, self-rated health, quality of life, physical activity, dietary behaviors, and program satisfaction.

RESULTS

Over 2 years, 95 participants completed the program. They were predominantly female (72.6%) and Latino (78.9%), with a mean age of 50 years, median BMI of 39.2 (IQR: 36.9 to 43.7), and 60% having ≥ 3 comorbidities. Median 6-month weight loss was 5.5% (IQR: -2.6% to -9.9%), with significant improvements in quality of life (p = 0.0003), physical health (p < 0.0001), moderate-intensity physical activity (p < 0.001), and dietary behaviors. Participants reported high satisfaction driven by personalized guidance, increased health knowledge, mindfulness, and the supportive group environment.

CONCLUSIONS

LA VIDA was feasible and acceptable and improved patient-reported behaviors and outcomes in a safety-net setting. These findings support it as an effective model for integrated obesity care that combines lifestyle, behavioral, and pharmacologic treatment in the safety net.