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During the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity rates among U.S. college students rose due to decreased physical activity and higher caloric intake. The explored the impact of motivational interviewing (MI), a person-centered approach, on body composition and self-determination theory (SDT) constructs in overweight or obese college students.

A randomized controlled trial with 40 participants compared the effects of MI against an online education control group over 6 months. The MI group showed significant improvements in body composition, including increased lean mass and decreased fat mass, along with psychological benefits such as enhanced autonomy and motivation.

Despite limitations like small sample size and high dropout rates, the study highlights MI's potential to improve health outcomes and motivation among college students during challenging times.

It also underscores MI's value in promoting healthier behaviors and enhancing clinical outcomes for overweight or obese college students and other patient populations. Clinicians could utilize MI as an effective intervention for weight management, addressing and modifying obesogenic behaviors. Because MI can be individualized, it tailors to each patient's unique needs and motivations.

Therefore, clinicians should be trained in MI techniques to better support patients in weight management. Integrating MI into regular consultations, especially follow-ups, can reinforce positive behaviors and address weight loss barriers.

Creating an environment that emphasizes patient autonomy and motivation can improve patient experiences and outcomes.

Raghuveer Vedala, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, a Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine Specialist, is a Clinical Physician (Outpatient) at Norman Regional Health (South OKC) in Oklahoma City.

Read the study here and an interview about it here.