scholarly journals An app-, web- and social support-based weight loss intervention for adults with obesity: the HelpMeDoIt! feasibility RCT

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Anne Simpson ◽  
Lynsay Matthews ◽  
Juliana Pugmire ◽  
Alex McConnachie ◽  
Emma McIntosh ◽  
...  

Background Finding solutions to rising levels of obesity continues to be a major public health focus. Social support has an important role in successful weight loss, and digital interventions can reach a large proportion of the population at low cost. Objective To develop and assess the feasibility and acceptability of an application (app), web- and social support-based intervention in supporting adults with obesity to achieve weight loss goals. Design Stage 1 – intervention development phase involved three focus groups (n = 10) with users, and think-aloud interviews and field testing with another group (n = 28). Stage 2 – the intervention and evaluation methods were explored in a feasibility randomised controlled trial with economic and process evaluation. Setting Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK. Participants Adults with a body mass index of ≥ 30kg/m2 who owned a smartphone and were interested in losing weight were randomised 2 : 1 (intervention : control) and followed up at 12 months. Recruitment took place in April–October 2016. Interventions The intervention group had access to HelpMeDoIt! for 12 months. This encouraged them to (1) set goals, (2) monitor progress and (3) harness social support by inviting ‘helpers’ from their existing social network. The control group received a healthy lifestyle leaflet. Main outcome measures Data from stage 1 informed the intervention design. Key measures in stage 2 assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and trial methods against prespecified progression criteria. Three primary outcomes were explored: body mass index, diet and physical activity. Secondary outcomes included weight, waist and hip circumference, social support, self-efficacy, motivation, mental health, health-related quality of life, NHS resource use, participant-borne costs and intervention costs. Qualitative interviews with participants (n = 26) and helpers (n = 9) explored the feasibility and acceptability of the trial methods and intervention. Results Stage 1 produced (1) a website that provided evidence-based information for lifestyle change and harnessing social support, and (2) an app that facilitated goal-setting, self-monitoring and supportive interaction between participants and their helper(s). Progression criteria were met, demonstrating that the intervention and trial methods were feasible and acceptable. A total of 109 participants (intervention, n = 73; control, n = 36) were recruited, with 84 participants (77%: intervention, 71%; control, 89%) followed up at 12 months. Data were successfully collected for most outcome measures (≥ 82% completion). Participants and helpers were generally positive, although helper engagement with the app was low. Of the 54 (74%) participants who downloaded the app, 48 (89%) used it twice or more, 28 helpers enrolled via the app, and 19 (36%) participants interacted with their helper(s) via the app. Interview data indicated that HelpMeDoIt! prompted support from helpers that often occurred without the helpers using the app. Limitations Early technical problems meant that some participants and helpers had difficulty accessing the app. Ethical constraints meant that we were unable to contact helpers directly for interview. Conclusions The HelpMeDoIt! study demonstrated that a weight loss intervention delivered via an app and a website is feasible and acceptable. Progression criteria were met, supporting further evaluation of the intervention. Future work To further explore (1) the motivation and engagement of helpers, (2) the programme theory and (3) the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN85615983. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 8, No. 3. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3245
Author(s):  
Emma C. Atakpa ◽  
Adam R. Brentnall ◽  
Susan Astley ◽  
Jack Cuzick ◽  
D. Gareth Evans ◽  
...  

We evaluated the association between short-term change in body mass index (BMI) and breast density during a 1 year weight-loss intervention (Manchester, UK). We included 65 premenopausal women (35–45 years, ≥7 kg adult weight gain, family history of breast cancer). BMI and breast density (semi-automated area-based, automated volume-based) were measured at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years after study entry (1 year post intervention). Cross-sectional (between-women) and short-term change (within-women) associations between BMI and breast density were measured using repeated-measures correlation coefficients and multivariable linear mixed models. BMI was positively correlated with dense volume between-women (r = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.61), but less so within-women (r = 0.08, 95%CI: −0.16, 0.28). There was little association with dense area (between-women r = −0.12, 95%CI: −0.38, 0.16; within-women r = 0.01, 95%CI: −0.24, 0.25). BMI and breast fat were positively correlated (volume: between r = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.69, 0.84, within r = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.36, 0.75; area: between r = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.63, 0.82, within r = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.63). Multivariable models reported similar associations. Exploratory analysis suggested associations between BMI gain from 20 years and density measures (standard deviation change per +5 kg/m2 BMI: dense area: +0.61 (95%CI: 0.12, 1.09); fat volume: −0.31 (95%CI: −0.62, 0.00)). Short-term BMI change is likely to be positively associated with breast fat, but we found little association with dense tissue, although power was limited by small sample size.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 840-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. Imes ◽  
Yaguang Zheng ◽  
Dara D. Mendez ◽  
Bonny J. Rockette-Wagner ◽  
Meghan K. Mattos ◽  
...  

Background: The obesity epidemic is a global concern. Standard behavioral treatment including increased physical activity, reduced energy intake, and behavioral change counseling is an effective lifestyle intervention for weight loss. Purpose: To identify distinct step count patterns among weight loss intervention participants, examine weight loss differences by trajectory group, and examine baseline factors associated with trajectory group membership. Methods: Both groups received group-based standard behavioral treatment while the experimental group received up to 30 additional, one-on-one self-efficacy enhancement sessions. Data were analyzed using group-based trajectory modeling, analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression. Results: Participants (N = 120) were mostly female (81.8%) and white (73.6%) with a mean (SD) body mass index of 33.2 (3.8) kg/m2. Four step count trajectory groups were identified: active (>10,000 steps/day; 11.7%), somewhat active (7500–10,000 steps/day; 28.3%), low active (5000–7500 steps/day; 27.5%), and sedentary (<5000 steps/day; 32.5%). Percent weight loss at 12 months increased incrementally by trajectory group (5.1% [5.7%], 7.8% [6.9%], 8.0% [7.4%], and 13.63% [7.0%], respectively; P = .001). At baseline, lower body mass index and higher perceived health predicted membership in the better performing trajectory groups. Conclusions: Within a larger group of adults in a weight loss intervention, 4 distinct trajectory groups were identified and group membership was associated with differential weight loss.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Aasbrenn ◽  
Stian Lydersen ◽  
Per G. Farup

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common in subjects with morbid obesity; the effect of weight loss programs on bowel symptoms is largely unknown. Methods. This prospective cohort study explored bowel symptoms, health scores, and biomarkers in subjects with morbid obesity during a six-month-long conservative weight loss intervention. Bowel symptoms were assessed with IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale-IBS. Changes in all variables and associations between the changes in bowel symptoms and the other variables were analysed. Results. Eighty-eight subjects (81% females) were included. Body mass index was reduced from 42.0 (3.6) to 38.7 (3.5) (p<0.001). IBS-SSS was reduced from 116 (104) to 81 (84) (p=0.001). In all, 19 out of 25 variables improved significantly. In subjects with and without IBS at inclusion, the improvement in IBS-SSS was 88 (95% CI 55 to 121) and 10 (95% CI −9 to 29), respectively. Improved bowel symptoms were associated with improved subjective well-being, sense of humour, and vitamin D and negatively associated with reduced body mass index. Conclusion. Body mass index and health scores improved during a conservative weight loss intervention. Subjects with IBS before the intervention had a clinically significant improvement in bowel symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Deal ◽  
J Rayner ◽  
A Stracquadanio ◽  
R Wijesurendra ◽  
S Neubauer ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): BHF & NIHR BRC Introduction Obesity is strongly associated with increased risk of heart failure and ischaemic stroke independently of associated co-morbidities. Left atrial (LA) reservoir dysfunction, a marker of atrial distensibility and compliance, is an early pathophysiological change which precedes the onset of cardiovascular disease in patients with obesity. It is unclear whether a weight loss intervention may be sufficient to reverse LA reservoir dysfunction. Purpose To longitudinally assess whether a weight loss intervention normalizes LA reservoir function by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking in patients with obesity and only subclinical cardiovascular disease and compared this age and sex matched non-obese normal weight controls. Methods A total of 45 patients with severe obese (age = 45 ± 11 years, body mass index = 39.1 ± 6.7 kg/m2, 51 ± 18 kg of excess body weight [EBW], 67% female) underwent CMR for quantification of LA and left ventricular (LV) size and function before and a median of 373 days following weight loss intervention. Weight loss was achieved by means of a very-low calorie diet (N = 28; 800 kcal/day) or by bariatric surgery (N = 17). A total of N = 27 non-obese healthy controls (age = 41 ± 12 years, body mass index = 22.3 ± 2.4 kg/m2, 75% female) underwent the same CMR protocol once. Results At baseline, patients with obesity displayed signs of atrial myopathy with increased LA volume and reduced LA reservoir function as compared to normal-weight controls (both P &lt; 0.05, Figure 1) alongside increased LV mass and hyper-normal LV ejection fraction [LVEF] (both p &lt; 0.01). As expected, weight loss led to a significant reduction of LA volume and LV mass with normalization of LVEF regardless of the degree of weight loss achieved (all P &lt; 0.05, Figure 2). By contrast, only a large weight loss (&gt;46.6% EBW, in red in Figure 2) was sufficient to improve and normalize the LA reservoir function (P &lt; 0.05, Figure 2).  On the other hand, moderate or milder weight loss (in orange and red) had no significant effect on LA reservoir function (both P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion Successful weight loss can completely revert early LA myopathic phenotype in obese patients without known cardiovascular disease although this can be achieved only with larger weight loss targets.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Aasbrenn ◽  
Per G. Farup ◽  
Vibeke Videm

AbstractC-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin are biomarkers of atherosclerotic disease. We aimed to assess changes in these biomarkers after conservative and surgical weight loss interventions in individuals with morbid obesity, to evaluate associations between biomarker changes and changes in body mass index and HbA1c, and to study associations between changes in the biomarkers. C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin were measured before and after conservative weight loss intervention and bariatric surgery. Data were analysed with mixed models. 137 individuals (mean age 43 years) were included. Body mass index decreased from 42.1 kg/m2 to 38.9 kg/m2 after the conservative intervention, and further to 30.5 kg/m2 after bariatric surgery. All biomarkers decreased after the conservative weight loss intervention. C-reactive protein and lactoferrin continued to decrease following bariatric surgery whereas neopterin remained stable. After adjustments for change in body mass index and HbA1c, all biomarkers decreased significantly after the conservative weight loss intervention, whereas none changed after bariatric surgery. There were no consistent correlations between changes in C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin. In conclusion, biomarkers of atherosclerosis decreased after weight loss interventions but had different trajectories. Neopterin, a marker related to atherosclerotic plaque stability, decreased after conservative weight loss but not following bariatric surgery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa M. Crane ◽  
Lesley D. Lutes ◽  
Nancy E. Sherwood ◽  
Dianne S. Ward ◽  
Deborah F. Tate

Men are underrepresented in weight loss programs and little is currently known about the weight loss strategies men prefer. This study describes the weight loss strategies used by men during a men-only weight loss program. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, participants reported how frequently they used 45 weight loss strategies including strategies frequently recommended by the program (i.e., mentioned during every intervention contact; e.g., daily self-weighing), strategies occasionally recommended by the program (i.e., mentioned at least once during the program; e.g., reduce calories from beverages), and strategies not included in the program (e.g., increase daily steps). At baseline participants ( N = 107, 44.2 years, body mass index = 31.4 kg/m2, 76.6% White) reported regularly using 7.3 ± 6.6 ( M ± SD) strategies. The intervention group increased the number of strategies used to 19.1 ± 8.3 at 3 months and 17.1 ± 8.4 at 6 months with no changes in the waitlist group. The intervention group reported increased use of most of the strategies frequently recommended by the program (4 of 5), nearly half of the strategies occasionally recommended by the program (10 of 24), and one strategy not included in the program (of 16) at 6 months. The intervention effect at 6 months was significantly mediated by the number of strategies used at 3 months. This study adds to what is known about men’s use of weight loss strategies prior to and during a formal weight loss program and will help future program developers create programs that are tailored to men.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro J. Benito ◽  
Rocio Cupeiro ◽  
Ana B. Peinado ◽  
Miguel A. Rojo ◽  
Nicola Maffulli ◽  
...  

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