Abstract
Young women are gaining weight rapidly. Evidence for effective weight loss interventions targeting young women is lacking. This randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy and acceptability of a six-month targeted and tailored eHealth weight loss program for young women (Be Positive Be Healthe (BPBH)). Women aged 18–35 years were randomized to BPBH (n = 29) or control (n = 28). BPBH supported participants to modify diet and physical activity behaviours using evidenced-based strategies (e.g., self-monitoring) tailored for young women and delivered using e-health (website, social media, smartphone application, email, text messages). The primary outcome was a change in weight (kg) at six months. Acceptability was assessed via a process evaluation survey and usage of intervention components. No significant between-group differences were observed for weight, with significant mean differences favouring the intervention group observed for body fat (kg) (−3.10 (−5.69, 0.52), p = 0.019) and intakes of alcohol (g) (−0.69 (−1.33, 0.04), p = 0.037), vegetables (% energy/day) (4.71 (−2.20, 7.22), p < 0.001) and energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (% energy/day) (−9.23 (−16.94, 1.52), p = 0.018). Retention, intervention usage and satisfaction were moderate. BPBH facilitated positive improvements in body fat and dietary intake, but not weight. Intervention acceptability findings support the use of some intervention components (e.g., Facebook, Smartphone app) with young women.
Highlights
Young women are gaining weight rapidly, with longitudinal studies indicating that women are gaining significantly more weight during young adulthood (18–35 years) than at any Healthcare 2018, 6, 39; doi:10.3390/healthcare6020039 www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcareHealthcare 2018, 6, 39 other life stage [1,2,3]
Targeted and tailored interventions may be more engaging for young adults because the complexity of factors experienced by individuals in this transitional life stage is taken into account, and they may be more effective at achieving weight loss in this at-risk group [18]
The Be Positive Be Healthe (BPBH) program did lead to significant intervention effects for secondary outcome measures, including a very large effect size for vegetable intake, large effect sizes for HDL cholesterol, percentage energy from both nutrient-dense healthy and EDNP foods and moderate effect sizes for total body fat and alcohol intake
Summary
Hutchesson 1, * ID , Robin Callister 2 ID , Philip J. Morgan 3 ID , Ilung Pranata 4 , Erin D. Clarke 1 ID , Geoff Skinner 4 , Lee M. Clinical Research Design and Statistics Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton
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