Efficacy of dietary and lifestyle interventions in obesity management: a therapeutic protocol at the Diabetes Department, Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumophthisiology, Bucharest, Romania

The primary objective of this study was to underline the importance of comprehensive medical education in the management of obesity. In clinical practice, patients frequently encounter challenges in achieving weight-related goals. Given that obesity is a major cause of global mortality, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing targeted educational interventions on patient outcomes. To this end, we developed a specific dietary plan and educational materials for lifestyle modification administered to 44 patients in the Diabetes Department of Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumophthisiology in Bucharest, Romania. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after a three-month intervention period. The total body weight loss was 11%. BMI reductions were reflected in the redistribution of obesity types. The number of overweight individuals increased from 10 men (22.72%) to 13 men and 5 women, totaling 18 individuals (40.90%, with 29.54% men and 11.36% women). Blood glucose values dropped by 5%, and levels of HbA1c dropped by 0.4% from baseline to follow-up. The SAS severe group went down from 16 patients to 10 patients, and there was an increase in the mild Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) group, increasing from 8 to 14, resulting in a 13.63% overall increase. Our findings indicate that enhanced engagement by the therapeutic team, combined with detailed educational resources and adequate time for their comprehension, improved patient health outcomes, led to weight reduction and a reduction in the severity of comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea, which translated to improved quality of life.