Men’s Weight Loss Outcomes, Behaviors, and Perceptions in a Self-Directed Commercial Mobile Program: Retrospective Analysis

Background There is little understanding of men’s weight loss outcomes and behaviors in self-directed contexts, such as digital commercial mobile weight management programs. This is an especially pressing question given that men often express disinterest in weight management programs and it is unknown how that manifests in self-directed environments. Aims. Two studies fill this gap by retrospectively observing how men lose weight and engage in weight loss behaviors (Study 1) and their perceptions of improvements and gained knowledge (Study 2) when participating in the full length of a commercial mobile behavior change program called Noom. Method In Study 1, repeated-measures linear mixed modeling was used to examine whether weight loss was statistically significant from baseline to 16 weeks and how engagement behaviors predicted weight in a sample of 7,495 male Noom users. In Study 2, 971 male Noom users completed an exploratory survey on the impact of the behavior change education in the program. Results In Study 1, men who remained in the full length of the program lost statistically significant weight from baseline to 16 weeks. 63% achieved clinically meaningful (5% or more) weight loss. Engagement in weight loss behaviors on the program predicted the amount of weight lost. In Study 2, men reported learning most about practical application and psychological aspects relating to food and psychology. Discussion and Conclusion This is the first study to observe men’s weight loss outcomes, behaviors, and perceptions of what they learned in a self-directed behavior change program. Our findings have important implications for more effective health promotion for the many men who choose to self-direct their weight loss.

Active and healthy lifestyle in Brazilian Primary Health Care user’s: A pragmatic clinical trial about "VAMOS" behavior change program

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and maintenance of the behavior change program "VAMOS", version 2.0, on behavioral and health outcomes in Brazilian users (≥ 18 years) of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. A pragmatic clinical trial was carried out between 2016 and 2019 in Basic Health Units, with 265 users allocated in the intervention group (n = 125) and the control group (n = 140). The intervention group participated for three months in the VAMOS to promote physical activity (PA) and a healthy diet. The control group received in a single meeting counseling about the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. Variables of PA (daily minutes in light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, total PA, and sedentary behavior), eating behavior (weekly consumption of fruits, vegetables, and soda drinks), anthropometry (body mass, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index), and quality of life (QOL) (positive or negative perception), were evaluated, through interviews and objective measures, in the pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 12 months after the end of the intervention. The intervention group increased moderate-to-vigorous PA bouts, consumed of vegetables and, QOL, and decreased the consumption of soda drinks and WC (p<0.05). The intervention was sufficient to maintain the achieved benefits of moderate-to-vigorous PA bouts, soda drink consumption, and WC. VAMOS effectively promote an active and healthy lifestyle in PHC users and, its strategies proved to be adequate to maintain the gains acquired. VAMOS is a pioneer and a health innovation.

Future directions of the National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change Program

Background The National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change Common Fund Program has accelerated the investigation of mechanisms of behavior change applicable to multiple health behaviors and outcomes and facilitated the use of the experimental medicine approach to behavior change research. Purpose This commentary provides a brief background of the program, plans for its next phase, and thoughts about how the experimental medicine approach to behavior change research can inform future directions in two areas of science—reproductive health and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Conclusions The incorporation of a mechanisms-based approach into behavior intervention research offers new opportunities for improving health.

Personalized Web-Based Weight Loss Behavior Change Program With and Without Dietitian Online Coaching for Adults With Overweight and Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background The effect of computer- or human-delivered personalized feedback on the effectivess of web-based behavior change platforms for weight loss is unclear. Objective We aimed to compare the effectiveness of a web-based behavior change intervention personalized through either computerized or human-delivered feedback with a nonpersonalized intervention in promoting weight loss in community-based adults with overweight or obesity. Methods This pragmatic, 3-group, parallel-arm, randomized trial recruited students and staff in a Brazilian public university who were aged 18 to 60 years, had a BMI of ≥25 kg/m2, and were not pregnant. Participants were allocated to one of 3 groups: platform only (24-week behavior change program delivered using a web platform with personalized computer-delivered feedback), platform plus coaching (same 24-week web-based behavior change program plus 12 weeks of personalized feedback delivered online by a dietitian), or waiting list (nonpersonalized dietary and physical activity recommendations delivered through an e-booklet and videos). Self-reported weight at 24 weeks was the primary outcome. Changes in dietary and physical activity habits within 24 weeks were secondary outcomes. Results Among the 1298 participants, 375 (28.89%) were lost to follow-up. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the platform-only and platform plus coaching groups had greater mean weight loss than the waiting-list group at 24 weeks (–1.08 kg, 95% CI –1.41 to –0.75 vs –1.57 kg, 95% CI –1.92 to –1.22 vs –0.66 kg, 95% CI –0.98 to –0.34, respectively). The platform-only and platform plus coaching groups, compared with the waiting list group, had a greater increase in the consumption of vegetables (3%, 95% CI 1% to 6% vs 5%, 95% CI 2% to 8% vs –3%, 95% CI –5% to 0%) and fruits (9%, 95% CI 6% to 12% vs 6%, 95% CI 2% to 9% vs 2%, 95% CI 0% to 6%) and a larger reduction in ultraprocessed food intake (–18%, 95% CI –23% to –13% vs –25%, 95% CI –30% to –20% vs –12%, 95% CI –16% to –8%). Changes in physical activity did not differ across the groups. Engagement was higher in the platform plus coaching group than in the platform-only group (7.6 vs 5.2 completed sessions; P=.007). Longer usage of the platform was associated with clinically meaningful (≥5%) weight loss (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.04). Conclusions The web-based behavior change programs with computer- and human-delivered personalized feedback led to greater, albeit small-magnitude, weight loss within 24 weeks. Improvement in multiple dietary habits, but not physical activity, were also greater in the personalized programs compared with the nonpersonalized one. The human-delivered personalized feedback by the online dietitian coach increased user engagement with the program and was associated with a significantly higher chance of clinically meaningful weight loss. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03435445; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03435445 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/10.1186/s12889-018-5882-y

Assess

Chapter 5 is an extensive discussion of the first step involved in developing a behavior change program or campaign. This chapter covers the first step, Assess, which is concerned with getting everyone on the same page, and figuring out what is already known about the target behavior. This typically involves a survey of previously conducted research and collecting the opinions of experts, together with as much contextualization to the program context as possible. It can also involve meetings or a workshop to ensure that everyone’s knowledge has been probed and consensus reached, so that the project can move forward efficiently.

Effectiveness of a 3-Month Mobile Phone–Based Behavior Change Program on Active Transportation and Physical Activity in Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Active transportation (AT; ie, walking and cycling as a mode for transportation) has been associated with decreased morbidity and mortality; however, low-cost and scalable intervention programs are lacking. Objective The goal of the research was to determine the effectiveness of a 3-month behavior change program delivered via a mobile phone app to promote AT (TravelVu Plus) on time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Methods For this 2-arm parallel randomized controlled trial, we recruited a population-based sample of 254 adults from Stockholm County who were aged 20 to 65 years and had access to a smartphone. On completion of 1-week baseline measures, the 254 participants were randomized to either the control or intervention group (1:1 ratio). Both groups had access to the standard TravelVu app (Trivector AB) for monitoring their AT for 6 months. The intervention group also received a 3-month behavior change program to promote AT (TravelVu Plus app). Assessors of outcomes were blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were objectively measured MVPA at 3 (primary) and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were AT, attitudes toward AT, and health-related quality of life at 3 and 6 months. Results No effect on MVPA was observed after 3 months (P=.29); however, at 6 months the intervention group had a greater improvement in MVPA than the controls (6.05 minutes per day [95% CI 0.36 to 11.74; P=.04]). A Bayesian analyses showed that there was a 98% probability that the intervention had any effect at 6 months, and a 63% probability that this effect was >5 minute MVPA per day. Conclusions No effect on MVPA immediately after the intervention period (at 3 months) was observed; however, there was a delayed effect on MVPA (6 minutes per day) at 6 months, which corresponds to approximately 30% of the weekly MVPA recommendation. Our findings suggest that a behavior change program promoting AT delivered via an app may have a relevant effect on PA. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03086837; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03086837 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5658-4

Effectiveness of a 3-Month Mobile Phone–Based Behavior Change Program on Active Transportation and Physical Activity in Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Active transportation (AT; ie, walking and cycling as a mode for transportation) has been associated with decreased morbidity and mortality; however, low-cost and scalable intervention programs are lacking. OBJECTIVE The goal of the research was to determine the effectiveness of a 3-month behavior change program delivered via a mobile phone app to promote AT (TravelVu Plus) on time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). METHODS For this 2-arm parallel randomized controlled trial, we recruited a population-based sample of 254 adults from Stockholm County who were aged 20 to 65 years and had access to a smartphone. On completion of 1-week baseline measures, the 254 participants were randomized to either the control or intervention group (1:1 ratio). Both groups had access to the standard TravelVu app (Trivector AB) for monitoring their AT for 6 months. The intervention group also received a 3-month behavior change program to promote AT (TravelVu Plus app). Assessors of outcomes were blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were objectively measured MVPA at 3 (primary) and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were AT, attitudes toward AT, and health-related quality of life at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS No effect on MVPA was observed after 3 months (<i>P</i>=.29); however, at 6 months the intervention group had a greater improvement in MVPA than the controls (6.05 minutes per day [95% CI 0.36 to 11.74; <i>P</i>=.04]). A Bayesian analyses showed that there was a 98% probability that the intervention had any effect at 6 months, and a 63% probability that this effect was &gt;5 minute MVPA per day. CONCLUSIONS No effect on MVPA immediately after the intervention period (at 3 months) was observed; however, there was a delayed effect on MVPA (6 minutes per day) at 6 months, which corresponds to approximately 30% of the weekly MVPA recommendation. Our findings suggest that a behavior change program promoting AT delivered via an app may have a relevant effect on PA. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03086837; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03086837 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5658-4

Lessons Learned in Supporting Women With Prediabetes Through Maintaining Diet and Exercise Behavior Changes Beyond a Diabetes-Prevention Counseling Program

Interventions involving exercise and diet can reduce the progression of Type 2 diabetes, yet they are often short-lived. Progressing toward self-managed maintenance is also challenging. If supports are in place to help individuals with behavior changes beyond immediate programming, they are more likely to maintain these changes. This is particularly the case for women, who often struggle to maintain diet and exercise changes and can benefit from social support. Small Steps for Big Changes is a 3-week counseling program housed in a local YMCA that aims to help people make exercise and diet changes. To understand how to best support women in maintaining these changes beyond program delivery, a knowledge-sharing event was held for 14 women who completed the intervention. The women engaged in a focus group to share challenges they had experienced in making diet and exercise changes and recommendations for continued support. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis, and three recommendation areas were identified: (a) establishing peer support networks, (b) creating platforms to communicate prediabetes-related information, and (c) providing ongoing trainer support. Several recommendations have been implemented to support these women, and other individuals, postprogram. This case provides insights and recommendations for integration of initiatives beyond delivery of a behavior-change program housed in a community organization.