In Denmark, University Hospital of Southern Denmark in Esbjerg has initiated The South Danish Obesity Initiative (SDOI) to optimize the treatment of and the research in obesity. The hospital has for years, offered treatment to individuals with obesity, however, SDOI is an investigation program with the aim to identify people with undiagnosed obesity-related diseases by a systematic and stepwise approach, delivering an up-to-date treatment of diagnosed diseases and offering personalized lifestyle advice based on the finding in the investigation program. The SDOI program comprises collaboration between different medical departments at the hospital and furthermore, entails the establishment of a well-defined cohort as a basis for research. ACT is of interest in the construction of the personalized lifestyle advice in the SDOI program. However, there is limited research available on the effect of the behaviour therapy ACT as a basic method for a lifestyle program targeting overweight individuals who have been made aware of obesity related diseases and re-conditions. ACT might be a valuable tool to assist these individuals to increase their quality of life and thereby, ability to make lifestyle changes.
The study aim is to evaluate a patient-centred intervention focusing on improved quality of life and wellbeing among individuals with obesity and risk factors for adverse outcome.