Online Weight Management Program Research Articles

Weight Loss Trajectories and Short-Term Prediction in an Online Weight Management Program.

The extent to which early weight loss in behavioral weight control interventions predicts long-term success remains unclear. In this study, we developed an algorithm aimed at classifying weight change trajectories and examined its ability to predict long-term weight loss based on weight early change. We utilized data from 667 de-identified individuals who participated in a commercial weight loss program (Instinct Health Science), comprising 69,363 weight records. Sequential polynomial regression models were employed to classify participants into distinct weight trajectory patterns based on key model parameters. Next, we applied multinomial logistic models to evaluate if early weight loss in the first 14 days and prolonged duration of participation were significantly associated with long-term weight loss patterns. The mean percentage of weight loss was 7.9 ± 5.1% over 133 ± 69 days. Our analysis revealed four main weight loss trajectory patterns: a steady decrease over time (30.6%), a decrease to a plateau with subsequent decline (15.8%), a decrease to a plateau with subsequent increase (46.9%), and no substantial decrease (6.7%). Early weight change rate and total participating duration emerged as significant factors in differentiating long-term weight loss patterns. These findings contribute to support the provision of tailored advice in the early phase of behavioral interventions for weight loss.

Implementation of a Scalable Online Weight Management Programme in Clinical Settings: Protocol for the PROPS 2.0 Programme (Partnerships for Reducing Overweight and Obesity with Patient-Centered Strategies 2.0)

IntroductionThere is an urgent need for scalable strategies for treating overweight and obesity in clinical settings. PROPS 2.0 (Partnerships for Reducing Overweight and Obesity with Patient-Centered Strategies 2.0) aims to...

Primary care patients' and providers' perspectives about an online weight management program integrated with population health management: Post-intervention qualitative results from the PROPS study.

To assess patients' and providers' attitudes about the online weight management program and population health management approach in the PROPS Study, which examined the effectiveness of these strategies in primary care. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 patients and nine providers. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed transcripts of the interviews to identify key themes. Most patients found the online program to be well-structured and easy to use, although a few noted that the information was overwhelming or could be more personalized. Patients mentioned that the support from the population health managers was critical for their success, and several reported that they would have liked more involvement from their primary care provider or a dietitian. Providers also were satisfied with the interventions, and several stated that the population health management support was helpful because it added accountability. Providers suggested that the interventions could be improved by tailoring the information and integrating the online program with the electronic health record. Most patients and providers were satisfied with the interventions, with several recommendations for improvements. These findings give additional information about patients' and providers' experience with this innovative approach for managing overweight and obesity in primary care.

Effects Of An Online Weight Management Program On Weight And Physical Activity Changes.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of an online weight management program through only online education(OO) or tailored video feedback with online education (OF) or control(CO). METHODS: This intervention included 60 overweight and obese Korean women aged 19 -39 years old. Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) 20 women in OO group (online education video and self-monitoring application), (2) 20 women in OF group (online education video, self-monitoring application, and 1:1 tailored video feedback), and (3) 20 women in CO group (only self-monitoring application). Online education included nutrition, physical activity, psychological factors, and medical knowledge for weight loss, goal-setting, and cognitive/behavioral strategies. Tailored feedback helped to motivate weight loss and give solutions for weight loss through real-time video coaching once a week for 10 minutes per session. Effectiveness was assessed using repeated measure ANOVA to compare outcome changes between groups and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were performed. RESULTS: After 6-weeks, a total of 17(85%) of OO group, 17(85%) of OF group, and 19(95%) of CO group completed the post-measurement at 6 weeks. In the intention-to-treat analysis including all 60 participants, there was a significant difference in weight change at 6 weeks in OO and OF groups with a mean weight change of -0.86 kg (95%CI, -1.72 to -0.1) in OO group and -2.23 kg (95%CI, -2.93 to -1.52) in OF group, while no significant change was observed in CO group with a mean weight change of 0.08 kg (95%CI, -0.65 to 0.8). Changes in waist circumference were -2.29 cm (95% CI, -3.48 to -1.11) in OF group, -1.64 cm (95 CI, -3.14 to -0.09) in OO group, and 0.03 cm (95% CI, -1.05 to 1.11) in CO group. In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference only between OF group and CO group in body weight and waist circumference (P > 0.001, P = 0.039, respectively). However, no significant group × time effects were found for the moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior (P = 0.979, P = 0.578, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our online weight management program showed significant weight loss and waist circumference reduction in overweight or obese Korean women. Further research is needed to track the long term effects.

Weight loss outcomes achieved by adults accessing an online programme offered as part of Public Health England’s ‘Better Health’ campaign

Effective use of health technology may offer a scalable solution to the obesity pandemic. Online digital programmes provide a convenient and flexible way for more people to access regular support. This service evaluation aims to determine whether adults accessing an online weight management programme via a national campaign are successful in losing weight.Data was analysed for adults registering with Slimming World’s online programme using a discounted membership offered as part of PHE’s ‘Better Health’ campaign between July and December 2020. Last-weight carried forward was used to calculate weight outcomes for participants who had the opportunity to complete 12-weeks and recorded ≥ one weight besides baseline. Engagement was determined using number of online weekly weights recorded with high engagers having weight data for ≥ 9 occasions. Socioeconomic status was assessed using postcode data. Resubscription and uploaded weight data were used to determine numbers who continued beyond the offer period.Twenty-seven thousand two hundred forty-eight adults (5.3% males) with mean age 41.0 ± 11.4 years met inclusion criteria. Mean baseline BMI was 33.4 ± 6.8 kg/m2 (29.2% 30–34.9, 18.3% 35–39.9 and 15.1% > 40 kg/m2). Mean weight loss at 12 weeks was 2.7 (± 3) kg representing a mean loss of 3% (± 3.1) body weight with 42.3% achieving ≥ 3% and 22.1% weight loss ≥ 5%. Median number of weigh-ins was six. Men had greater weight losses compared to women (p < 0.001). High engagers, both men and women, achieved greater weight losses (p < 0.001). Absolute weight loss was associated with joining BMI (rs = -0.15, p < 0.001) but for % weight change only small differences were seen (max effect size = 0.03) with no differences in weight change for high engagers between different baseline BMI categories (p > 0.05). 30.9% were in the lowest two IMD quintiles and absolute and percentage weight change did not differ across deprivation quintiles (p > 0.05). 34.9% continued to access the online support after the offer period.This service evaluation shows that an online programme, offered as part of a national campaign, can offer effective support to a large number of people with different starting BMIs and from different socioeconomic backgrounds. An increased level of engagement leads to better weight losses.

Practice nurse-supported weight self-management delivered within the national child immunisation programme for postnatal women: a feasibility cluster RCT

Pregnancy is a high-risk time for excessive weight gain. The rising prevalence of obesity in women, combined with excess weight gain during pregnancy, means that there are more women with obesity in the postnatal period. This can have adverse health consequences for women in later life and increases the health risks during subsequent pregnancies. The primary aim was to produce evidence of whether or not a Phase III trial of a brief weight management intervention, in which postnatal women are encouraged by practice nurses as part of the national child immunisation programme to self-monitor their weight and use an online weight management programme, is feasible and acceptable. The research involved a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial and two semistructured interview studies with intervention participants and practice nurses who delivered the intervention. Trial data were collected at baseline and 3 months later. The interview studies took place after trial follow-up. The trial took place in Birmingham, UK. Twenty-eight postnatal women who were overweight/obese were recruited via Birmingham Women's Hospital or general practices. Nine intervention participants and seven nurses were interviewed. The intervention was delivered in the context of the national child immunisation programme. The intervention group were offered brief support that encouraged self-management of weight when they attended their practice to have their child immunised at 2, 3 and 4 months of age. The intervention involved the provision of motivation and support by nurses to encourage participants to make healthier lifestyle choices through self-monitoring of weight and signposting to an online weight management programme. The role of the nurse was to provide regular external accountability for weight loss. Women were asked to weigh themselves weekly and record this on a record card in their child's health record ('red book') or using the online programme. The behavioural goal was for women to lose 0.5-1 kg per week. The usual-care group received a healthy lifestyle leaflet. The primary outcome was the feasibility of a Phase III trial to test the effectiveness of the intervention, as assessed against three traffic-light stop-go criteria (recruitment, adherence to regular self-weighing and registration with an online weight management programme). The traffic-light criteria results were red for recruitment (28/80, 35% of target), amber for registration with the online weight loss programme (9/16, 56%) and green for adherence to weekly self-weighing (10/16, 63%). Nurses delivered the intervention with high fidelity. In the qualitative studies, participants indicated that the intervention was acceptable to them and they welcomed receiving support to lose weight at their child immunisation appointments. Although nurses raised some caveats to implementation, they felt that the intervention was easy to deliver and that it would motivate postnatal women to lose weight. Fewer participants were recruited than planned. Although women and practice nurses responded well to the intervention and adherence to self-weighing was high, recruitment was challenging and there is scope to improve engagement with the intervention. Future research should focus on investigating other methods of recruitment and, thereafter, testing the effectiveness of the intervention. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12209332. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 49. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

The experiences of postnatal women and healthcare professionals of a brief weight management intervention embedded within the national child immunisation programme

BackgroundAfter childbirth, most women do not lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy. This is important because postnatal weight retention contributes to the development of obesity in later life. Research shows that postnatal women living with overweight would prefer to weigh less, are interested in implementing weight loss strategies, and would like support. Without evidence for the benefit of weight management interventions during pregnancy, postnatal interventions are increasingly important. Research has focused on intensive weight loss programmes, which cannot be offered to all postnatal women. Instead, we investigated the feasibility of a brief intervention delivered to postnatal women at child immunisation appointments. This qualitative study explored the views of women who received the intervention and healthcare professionals who delivered it.MethodsThe intervention was delivered within the context of the national child immunisation programme. The intervention group were offered brief support encouraging self-management of weight when attending general practices to have their child immunised at two, three and four months of age. The intervention involved motivation and support from practice nurses to encourage women to make healthier lifestyle choices through self-monitoring of weight and signposting to an online weight management programme. Nurses provided external accountability for weight loss. Women were asked to weigh themselves weekly and record this on a weight record card. Nested within this trial, semi-structured interviews explored the experiences of postnatal women who received the intervention and nurses who delivered it.ResultsThe intervention was generally acceptable to participants and child immunisation appointments considered a suitable intervention setting. Nurses were hesitant to discuss maternal weight, viewing the postnatal period as a vulnerable time. Whilst some caveats to implementation were discussed by nurses, they felt the intervention was easy to deliver and would motivate postnatal women to lose weight.ConclusionsParticipants were keen to lose weight after childbirth. Overall, they reported that the intervention was acceptable, convenient, and, appreciated support to lose weight after childbirth. Although nurses, expressed concerns about raising the topic of weight in the early postnatal period, they felt the intervention was easy to deliver and would help to motivate women to lose weight.

Effect of an Online Weight Management Program Integrated With Population Health Management on Weight Change

Online programs may help with weight loss but have not been widely implemented in routine primary care. To compare the effectiveness of a combined intervention, including an online weight management program plus population health management, with the online program only and with usual care. Cluster randomized trial with enrollment from July 19, 2016, through August 10, 2017, at 15 primary care practices in the US. Eligible participants had a scheduled primary care visit and were aged 20 to 70 years, had a body mass index between 27 and less than 40, and had a diagnosis of hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Follow-up ended on May 8, 2019. Participants in the usual care group (n = 326) were mailed general information about weight management. Participants in the online program only group (n = 216) and the combined intervention group (n = 298) were registered for the online program. The participants in the combined intervention group also received weight-related population health management, which included additional support from nonclinical staff who monitored their progress in the online program and conducted periodic outreach. The primary outcome was weight change at 12 months based on measured weights recorded in the electronic health record. Weight change at 18 months was a secondary outcome. Among the 840 participants who enrolled (mean age, 59.3 years [SD, 8.6 years]; 60% female; 76.8% White), 732 (87.1%) had a recorded weight at 12 months and the missing weights for the remaining participants were imputed. There was a significant difference in weight change at 12 months by group with a mean weight change of -1.2 kg (95% CI, -2.1 to -0.3 kg) in the usual care group, -1.9 kg (95% CI, -2.6 to -1.1 kg) in the online program only group, and -3.1 kg (95% CI, -3.7 to -2.5 kg) in the combined intervention group (P < .001). The difference in weight change between the combined intervention group and the usual care group was -1.9 kg (97.5% CI, -2.9 to -0.9 kg; P < .001) and the difference between the combined intervention group and the online program only group was -1.2 kg (95% CI, -2.2 to -0.3 kg; P = .01). At 18 months, the mean weight change was -1.9 kg (95% CI, -2.8 to -1.0 kg) in the usual care group, -1.1 kg (95% CI, -2.0 to -0.3 kg) in the online program only group, and -2.8 kg (95% CI, -3.5 to -2.0 kg) in the combined intervention group (P < .001). Among primary care patients with overweight or obesity and hypertension or type 2 diabetes, combining population health management with an online program resulted in a small but statistically significant greater weight loss at 12 months compared with usual care or the online program only. Further research is needed to understand the generalizability, scalability, and durability of these findings. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02656693.

Feasibility and acceptability of a brief routine weight management intervention for postnatal women embedded within the national child immunisation programme in primary care: randomised controlled cluster feasibility trial

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity in women continues to rise and pregnancy is a high-risk time for excessive weight gain. The period after childbirth represents an opportunity to offer women support to manage their weight. The primary aim here was to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of delivering a self-management intervention to postnatal women to support weight loss, embedded within the national child immunisation programme.MethodsThe research involved a randomised controlled cluster feasibility trial. Data were collected at baseline and 3 months later. Twenty-eight postnatal women living with overweight or obesity were recruited via Birmingham Women Hospital or general practices. Babies are routinely immunised at 2, 3 and 4 months of age; the intervention was embedded within these appointments. The intervention involved brief motivation/support by practice nurses to encourage participants to make healthier lifestyle choices through self-monitoring of weight and signposting to an online weight management programme, when they attended their practice to have their child immunised. The role of the nurse was to provide external accountability for weight loss. Participants were asked to weigh themselves weekly and record this on a record card or using the online programme. The weight goal was for participants to lose 0.5 to 1 kg per week. Usual care received a healthy lifestyle leaflet. The primary outcome was the feasibility of a phase III trial to test the subsequent effectiveness of the intervention, as assessed against three stop-go traffic light criteria (recruitment, adherence to regular self-weighing and registration with an online weight management programme).ResultsThe traffic light stop-go criteria results were red for recruitment (28/80, 35% of target), amber for registration with the online weight loss programme (9/16, 56%) and green for adherence to weekly self-weighing (10/16, 63%). Nurses delivered the intervention with high fidelity.DiscussionWhilst participants and nurses followed the trial protocol well and adherence to self-weighing was acceptable, recruitment was challenging and there is scope to improve engagement with the online weight management programme component of the intervention.Trial registrationISRCTN 12209332. Registration date is 04/12/18.

Web-based virtual reality to enhance behavioural skills training and weight loss in a commercial online weight management programme: The Experience Success randomized trial.

SummaryObjectiveCommercial online weight management programmes are popular and easily accessible but often lack training in empirically validated behaviour change strategies and produce suboptimal outcomes. This study evaluated the effects of a Web‐based virtual reality (VR) programme for enhancing behavioural skills training and weight loss when offered as an adjunct to a commercial online weight management programme.Methods N = 146 adults with overweight/obesity (body mass index [BMI] 27‐40 kg/m2) were randomized to 6 months of no‐cost access to the Weight Watchers (WW) online platform alone or enhanced with the Experience Success (WW + ES) programme, consisting of four Web‐based VR sessions for training in behavioural weight‐loss skills related to the home environment, the workplace, physical activity and social situations (i.e., a party at a friend's house). Weight was measured at the research centre at baseline, 3 and 6 months.ResultsBoth groups achieved statistically significant weight loss across the trial, with no difference in mean ± standard error (SE) weight loss between WW and WW + ES at 3 months (2.7 ± 1.1 kg vs. 4.2 ± 1.1 kg, respectively; P = .086) but greater weight loss in WW + ES at 6 months (2.6 ± 1.3 kg vs. 4.9 ± 1.3 kg, respectively; P = .042).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the potential of Web‐based VR skills training to enhance outcomes of commercial online weight management programmes that are widely accessible. Compared with traditional didactic methods for online skills training, VR simulation provides opportunities to learn behavioural skills via modelling and experiment with skills in real‐world situations. More research is needed to identify specific behavioural mechanisms by which ES may improve outcomes.

Integrating an online weight management program with population health management in primary care: Design, methods, and baseline data from the PROPS randomized controlled trial (Partnerships for Reducing Overweight and Obesity with Patient-centered Strategies)

BackgroundScalable, low-cost weight management strategies are needed in primary care. We conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of an online weight management program integrated with population health management support. MethodsWe adapted an online weight management program and integrated it with population health management support in 15 primary care practices (24 clinics). We randomized the 24 clinics to usual care (UC), online program alone (OP), or combined intervention (CI). Eligible participants had to be ages 20 to 70 and have a recent primary care visit, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 and < 40 kg/m2, and a diagnosis of hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Participants attended routine visits and completed surveys over 18 months. The primary outcome is absolute weight change at 12 months (± 90 days) after enrollment, calculated from weights measured at primary care visits and recorded in the electronic health record. ResultsWe enrolled 840 participants between July 2016 and August 2017 (326 UC, 216 OP, and 298 CI.) At enrollment, participants' mean age was 59.3 years, their mean weight was 203.1 pounds, and their mean BMI was 32.5 kg/m2; 60% of participants were female, 76.8% were white, 96.4% had hypertension, and 24.4% had type 2 diabetes. ConclusionIt is feasible to adapt an online weight management program and integrate it with population health management support in primary care. The results of this trial will provide valuable information about the effectiveness of these strategies in primary care settings.ClinicalTrials.govregistration number:NCT02656693

Protocol for the feasibility and acceptability of a brief routine weight management intervention for postnatal women embedded within the national child immunisation programme: randomised controlled cluster feasibility trial with nested qualitative study (PIMMS-WL)

IntroductionOn average women retain 5 to 9 kg 1 year after giving birth which can increase the risk of later obesity and chronic diseases. Some previous trials in this population...

Effect of Escalating Financial Incentive Rewards on Maintenance of Weight Loss

Identifying effective strategies for treating obesity is a public health priority. To test an escalating lottery-based incentive tied to daily self-weighing for weight loss maintenance. This 2-phase, 2-arm randomized clinical trial enrolled participants aged 30 to 80 years with an initial body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 30.0 to 45.0 who lost at least 5 kg during 4 to 6 months in a national online weight management program. Study investigators and outcomes assessors were blinded to participant groups. Data were collected and analyzed from May 23, 2016, through November 13, 2017, based on intention to treat. All participants were advised to weigh themselves daily, with a goal of 6 or more days per week, and received text messaging feedback on their performance. Incentive group participants were eligible for a lottery-based incentive worth an expected value of $3.98 in week 1 that escalated by $0.43 each week they achieved their self-weighing goal during months 1 to 6 (phase 1), followed by no incentives during months 7 to 12 (phase 2). The primary outcome was weight change at the end of phase 1. Secondary outcomes included weight change at the end of phase 2 and changes in self-reported physical activity and eating behaviors. A total of 258 participants (128 in the incentive group and 130 in the control group) had a mean (SD) age of 48.0 (10.5) years and mean (SD) body mass index of 32.1 (3.9); 225 (87.2%) were women; 235 (91.1%) were white; and 102 (39.5%) had an annual income of at least $100 000. Weight measurement was transmitted by 250 participants (96.9%) at 6 months and 227 (88.0%) at 12 months. The percentage of weeks that incentive and control participants achieved a mean self-weighing of at least 6 times was 85.3% vs 75.8%, respectively (P = .002) in phase 1 and 37.7% vs 50.2%, respectively (P = .009) in phase 2. Mean weight changes at the end of phase 1 were -1.1 (95% CI, -2.1 to -0.1) kg in the incentive group and -1.9 (95% CI, -2.9 to -0.8) kg in the control group, with a mean difference of 0.7 (95% CI, -0.7 to 2.2) kg (P = .30 for comparison). At the end of phase 2, mean weight changes were 0.2 (95% CI, -1.2 to 1.7) kg in the incentive group and -0.6 (95% CI, -2.0 to 0.8) kg in the control group, with a mean difference of 0.8 (95% CI, -1.2 to 2.8) kg (P = .41 for comparison). Compared with an active control condition of weekly messages, escalating lottery-based incentives transiently increased rates of self-weighing but did not significantly enhance weight loss maintenance. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01900392.

A transformative value co-creation framework for online services

PurposeOnline offerings for transformative services create value for consumers, although little research examines the process through which these services deliver this value. The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework to capture the complexity of the co-creation of transformative value experienced by the consumers of online transformative services.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a netnography approach to examine longitudinal data from an online weight management program. In total, this research examines 15,304 posts from 3,149 users, including eight staff users.FindingsConsumers integrate a range of social support resources, from informational support to esteem support, which provide a range of benefits such as new ideas and self-efficacy that underpin the different types of value such as epistemic and personal value. The degree of co-created value differs across the consumption experience but culminates over time into transformative value.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed framework may be useful beyond the weight management and online contexts; however, further work is required in a range of behavioral contexts and other modes of service delivery.Practical implicationsBy understanding the resources consumers integrate and value, co-created services can develop appropriate value propositions to assist in improving consumers’ well-being.Originality/valueThis research provides a comprehensive framework of the transformative value co-creation process, extending on existing frameworks which examine either the process, value co-creation or the types of value co-created.

Primary Care Patients' and Providers' Perspectives about an Online Weight Management Program: a Qualitative Study.

Primary care providers (PCPs) often take the lead role in caring for patients with overweight and obesity; however, few PCPs counsel patients about weight loss. Online weight management programs that are integrated within primary care may help address this gap in care. To identify perceptions of and experience with online weight management programs in general and with a proposed online program, to identify barriers to use, and to improve the design and content of our intervention, which included an online program plus population health management (PHM) support from primary care practices. A mixed qualitative methods study including three patient focus groups and seven semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers. A total of 13 adult patients (age range, 20-70) with body mass index (BMI) 27-35kg/m2 attended the focus groups. In-person semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven healthcare providers (three PCPs, two population health managers, one primary care nurse, and one registered dietitian). We developed and used semi-structured focus groups and interview guides. The focus group and interviews were recorded and transcribed. Using grounded theory, we analyzed the transcripts to identify and extract common concepts and themes. Although patients and healthcare providers expressed positive opinions about online weight management programs, few patients had experience with them, and providers stated that such programs are not being widely implemented in primary care settings. Some participants highlighted the flexibility and low cost as strengths of online weight management tools compared with in-person programs. All participants had favorable opinions about our proposed intervention and were overwhelmingly positive about the combination of an online program and PHM support. This study highlights the potential value of online weight management programs and PHM support in primary care. NCT02656693.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Online and Face-to-Face Weight-loss Interventations in the Workplace: Evidence from Malaysia

A structured weight management programme at a workplace may help in reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Therefore, this intervention study was to determine the effectiveness of weight loss programmes including face-to-face, online and control group at workplace among employees who are overweight and obese. A total of 108 overweight and obese adults were recruited and randomly divided into three groups (face-to-face group (FT), n=38; online group (OG), n=31; control group (CG), n=39). In the FT group, the participants took part in health talks, interactive activities and counselling; the OG group was given access to an online weight management program and the CG group was provided with educational booklets on weight loss. All information given was related to nutrition, physical activity and motivation to reduce weight. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage, dietary intake, fasting lipid profile and glucose levels were assessed at baseline and 4 months. The FT group showed greater reduction in body weight (-5.80 kg) compared to OG (-1.12 kg) and CG (-1.82 kg). Significant interaction effects were found for BMI, WC, fasting serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio (all p<0.05), with the FT group showing the biggest improvements, compared to the other groups. The face-to-face weight management program offered in the workplace showed to be the most effective at improving anthropometric profile, fasting serum triglycerides, HDL-C, total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, and dietary intake among overweight and obese employees.

Behaviors Predictive of Weight Loss Maintenance: Six-Month Follow up of an Online Weight Management Program

Behaviors Predictive of Weight Loss Maintenance: Six-Month Follow up of an Online Weight Management Program

Pilot evaluation of an online weight management programme

This intervention examined the efficacy of a six-week online weight loss programme. Students and staff of a third level institution (n=183) were recruited to the programme which provided individualised dietary advice for weight loss. Eighty-five participants (mean age 29.7 years, mean BMI 28.9kg/m2, 33% male) met the minimum inclusion criterion of logging on to the study website at least twice. All participants who completed the full six-week programme lost weight (n=31), with significant reductions in mean weight (2.8kg), BMI (0.9kg/m2) and waist circumference (4.1cm) observed between the start and end of the programme (all P 5% of their bodyweight, with reductions in biscuit and alcohol consumption being most predictive of weight loss. These findings suggest that individualised online dietary advice is effective in achieving short-term weight loss, especially in males.

Social embeddedness in an online weight management programme is linked to greater weight loss.

The obesity epidemic is heightening chronic disease risk globally. Online weight management (OWM) communities could potentially promote weight loss among large numbers of people at low cost. Because little is known about the impact of these online communities, we examined the relationship between individual and social network variables, and weight loss in a large, international OWM programme. We studied the online activity and weight change of 22,419 members of an OWM system during a six-month period, focusing especially on the 2033 members with at least one friend within the community. Using Heckman's sample-selection procedure to account for potential selection bias and data censoring, we found that initial body mass index, adherence to self-monitoring and social networking were significantly correlated with weight loss. Remarkably, greater embeddedness in the network was the variable with the highest statistical significance in our model for weight loss. Average per cent weight loss at six months increased in a graded manner from 4.1% for non-networked members, to 5.2% for those with a few (two to nine) friends, to 6.8% for those connected to the giant component of the network, to 8.3% for those with high social embeddedness. Social networking within an OWM community, and particularly when highly embedded, may offer a potent, scalable way to curb the obesity epidemic and other disorders that could benefit from behavioural changes.

Peer Wellness Coaches for Adults With Mental Illness

Peer Wellness Coaches for Adults With Mental Illness