Obesity Abstracts

Introduction: Roczen is a digital, clinical programme designed for people living with obesity (PLwO) and complications such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) that utilises time-restricted eating (TRE). Weight management and metabolic health intervention data mostly includes people from white ethnicity. The aim was to examine the impact of the programme in an ethnically diverse population in the UK at 12 months (12m).

Method: We conducted a retrospective, real-world service evaluation. Patients were initiated on a 16-hour TRE plan with low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein dietary guidance. The programme was digitally delivered by clinicians with regular video follow up, goal setting, self monitoring, motivational interviewing, feedback, and peer support via an App. Advice on increasing physical activity from baseline was tailored to the individual. We calculated mean±standard deviation to compare biometric outcomes in different ethnic groups.

Results: We included 945 patients (47.4±10.3 years, 64.6% female, BMI: 34.6±6.1kg/m2) who were at varying stages of the Roczen programme. 61.2% were from white ethnicity (n=578), 16.0% from black ethnicity (n=151), 14.1% from South Asian (SA) ethnicity (n=133) and 8.8% were from other ethnic groups (n=83). Of data available, mean weight loss was 8.6±7.1kg (-8.7%) at 12m (n=132). At 12m, mean weight reductions were 6.0±6.3kg [-6.1%] in people from black ethnicity, 6.6±5.2kg [-7.9%] in people from SA ethnicity and 10.5±7.7kg [-9.9%] in people from white ethnicity. For available data on waist circumference, mean reduction was 10.1±10.5cm (9.3%) at 12m (n=70), with similar reductions between ethnic groups (white: -10.6±10.5cm, black: -12.9±11.2cm, SA:-7.9±9.1cm). Retention rates at 12m were 46% in Black ethnicity, 28% in SA and 25% in WE groups.

Conclusions: Evaluation of the Roczen programme within a real-world setting shows that people from black and SA ethnicity appear to perform better than those from white ethnicity in terms of retention. Reductions in body weight in black and SA ethnicities are less than in white ethnic groups, but all weight reductions were clinically significant. Waist circumference loss was highest in people from black ethnicity. Overall, our data shows the suitability of the programme for PLwO from diverse ethnic backgrounds.