Research

Mixed

A personalized, integrative, long-term (5-year) coaching program based on a systems health perspective significantly improves health-related quality of life, physical outcomes (weight, waist circumference, aerobic capacity), and psychosocial well-being (fatigue, self-esteem) in adults with obesity compared to baseline.

If you have obesity and have struggled with standard diet/exercise programs, consider a long-term, personalized coaching approach that addresses not just weight but also mental health, social support, and physical activity. Expect a significant time commitment initially, but the goal is to build sustainable habits. Progress may be slow, but improvements in quality of life and physical function are possible.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Compared to baseline, there were significant improvements in the SF-36 subscales ‘physical functioning’ (MD 9.9 points, 95% CI: 2.1–17.5, p = 0.013) and ‘general health perceptions’ (MD 9.3 points, 95% CI 2.9–15.7, p = 0.006). Furthermore, significant improvements in physical outcomes and psychosocial questionnaires (e.g., weight loss (MD 3.5 kg, 95% CI: 1.2–5.7, p = 0.003), waist circumference (MD 5.1 cm, 95% CI: 2.4–7.8, p < 0.001), and CIS fatigue (MD 6.8, 95% CI: 3.1–10.5, p = 0.001) were observed.
Sander M. Brink et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2024

Why this rating

Single-center, evolutionary longitudinal study with no control group; per-protocol analysis; high attrition rate (44.3% dropout).

Source

Two-Year Results of a Five-Year Personalized Integrative Obesity Coaching Program (IBO) Based upon a Systems Health Perspective and an Evolutionary Longitudinal Study Approach

Sander M. Brink et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2024

DOI 10.3390/ijerph21060807

cohort · n=79
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →