O besity is an epidemic in the US. The prevalence of obesity among US adults increased to 20.9% in 2001, a 5.6% increase in one year and a 74% in- crease since 1991. 1 In 2000, overweight ranked second only to tobacco as the most common cause of death in the US. 2,3 Re- search shows that even a modest weight loss of 5–10% decreases obesity-related health risks. 4-6 Therefore, all healthcare practitioners should be involved in pro- moting weight management. Pharmacists are in a unique position to have a positive impact on healthcare outcomes of patients who are overweight or obese. This article describes the development and implementation of a pharmaceutical care service that focuses on weight re- duction. This program was introduced at a stand alone pharmaceutical care center on a large university campus. The pro- cess that was followed when developing the program and the experiences since are also described. Background PHARMACIST INVOLVEMENT IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SERVICES The significant prevalence of overweight and obesity in the US and the resulting disease burden introduce a unique opportunity for pharmacists to become more involved in the identification and management of obesity. Why pharmacists? First, pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare profes- sionals available to the public. Second, patients recognize that pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals. Many patients who are struggling with their weight go to their pharmacy to obtain weight management resources such as vitamins, minerals, and supplements; therefore, they can obtain professional advice concerning their purchases. Third, many pharmacies are expanding their inventory of point-of- care devices that are used for weight loss and fitness, such as scales, body composition analyzers, pedometers, and heart rate monitors, to meet the needs of their patients. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy ■ 2007 February, Volume 41 ■ 185 Implementation of a Weight Management Pharmaceutical Care Service Kimberly Braxton Lloyd, Margaret Ryman Thrower, Natasha Boutwell Walters, Kem P Krueger, Pamela L Stamm, and R Lee Evans www.theannals.com Obesity Author information provided at the end of the text. RESEARCH REPORTS BACKGROUND: Obesity, a national epidemic, is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the US. Pharmacists can play an integral role in weight management. Offering weight management services provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of pharmaceutical care and attract patients to pharmacy programs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation and evaluate outcomes of a weight management pharmaceutical care service in a stand alone pharmaceutical care center on a college campus. METHODS: A retrospective review of data was conducted on 289 patient charts to evaluate the change in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and weight-related health conditions in patients who participated in the Healthy Habits program. RESULTS: The net change (change in values observed from first to last appoint- ment) in weight was a loss of 1021.8 kg. The maximum weight change (change seen from the first appointment to the lowest value obtained during the program) was a loss of 1530.5 kg. These values correspond to a net mean weight loss of 3.6 kg per patient (10% of baseline weight) and a maximum mean weight loss per patient of 5.5 kg (15% of baseline weight). Eighty-three patients were able to decrease their BMI category and 76 patients had a decrease in risk status from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center’s Healthy Habits program has been successful in helping patients decrease total body weight, BMI, and risk of weight-related complications. In addition, the program has increased the opportunity to identify other pharmaceutical care needs of patients and help establish the role of pharmacists in the management of obesity. KEY WORDS: anorexics, anorexiants, obesity, vitamins, weight management. Ann Pharmacother 2007;41:185-92. Published Online, 6 Feb 2007, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E466 at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from at Chongqing Library on October 11, 2013 aop.sagepub.com Downloaded from