Conceptualizing a Project
Obesity is a complex, progressive, and relapsing chronic disease characterized by
abnormal or excessive body fat that impairs health and quality of life. Obesity is a growing
epidemic (Ceccarini et al., 2015). It is defined as a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30
kg m−2, and morbid obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 kg m−2 or greater (Caterson et al., 2019).
The prevalence of nationwide obesity has increased from 4.6% in 1980 to 14.0% in 2019
(Boutari & Mantzoros, 2022). Obesity affects 42% of adults, costing healthcare spending $3.8
trillion in 2019 (State of Nevada, 2021). A gap in care exists in the management of obese
patients; despite increased recognition as a chronic disease, obesity remains greatly
underdiagnosed and undertreated (Caterson et al., 2019). Screening patients for readiness to
change for weight loss is paramount to formulating a treatment plan (American Diabetic
Association, 2021). This paper will conceptualize an obesity-related project the “screening for
readiness to lose weight and implementation of a weight loss bundle in primary care (RTL-
Weight-Primary), with a related PICOT question:(P) In obese female patients (I) how does
screening for readiness to change, and introduction of a weight loss bundle with diet and exercise
education, and monthly check-ins (C) compared to no intervention (O) influence weight loss
education compliance during a primary care clinic office visit (T) at 4 weeks and 8 weeks’ time.
Analysis and Synthesis of Research
(M)Obesity is defined as a BMI ≥30 kg/m2. It affects more than 650 million adults
worldwide. Obesity is also considered to be responsible for more than 13 types of malignancies.
Females constantly lead in terms of the proportion of obesity is expected, given the biologically
driven higher percentage of body fat in women. Screening for readiness to change in weight loss
is important as not all patients are ready to change.