Effect of Dietary Counselling on Weight Management Outcomes in Obese Adults at a Wellness Clinic in Abuja

Obesity management in Nigerian clinical and wellness settings increasingly depends on individualised dietary counselling as a first-line non-pharmacological intervention. This study evaluates the effect of structured dietary counselling on weight management outcomes in obese adults attending a private wellness clinic in Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. The growing burden of obesity in Nigeria's formal sector workforce necessitates evidence-based approaches to weight management that are culturally appropriate and practically sustainable. A pre-post interventional design was employed, with 100 adult clients aged 25 to 55 years with a body mass index of 30 or above enrolled in a structured twelve-week dietary counselling programme. The programme involved weekly individual counselling sessions with a registered dietitian, incorporating personalised calorie-controlled meal plans, dietary recall reviews, and behavioural strategies for sustainable eating habits. Primary outcomes including body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were measured at baseline, week six, and week twelve. Secondary outcomes including dietary quality score, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and client satisfaction were also assessed. Findings are expected to demonstrate significant reductions in body weight and waist circumference following structured counselling, with improvements in dietary quality and self-efficacy. The study provides clinical evidence for the effectiveness of dietitian-led weight management services in Nigerian wellness settings. Keywords: dietary counselling, weight management, obesity, Abuja, dietitian intervention.