A Self-Directed Mobile Intervention (WaznApp) to Promote Weight Control Among Employees at a Lebanese University: Protocol for a Feasibility Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Overweight and obesity have become major health problems globally with more than 1.9 billion overweight adults. In Lebanon, the prevalence of obesity and overweight is 65.4% combined. Risk factors of obesity and overweight are preventable and can be addressed by modifications in the environment and in an individual’s lifestyle. Mobile technologies are increasingly used in behavioral, self-directed weight management interventions, providing users with additional opportunities to attain weight control (weight loss, weight gain prevention, etc). Mobile apps may allow for the delivery of Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs), which provide support through skill building, emotional support, and instrumental support, following the participants’ progress. A few commercially available apps offer JITAI features, but no studies have tested their efficacy. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of a self-directed weight loss intervention, targeting employees of an academic institution, using a virtual coaching app with JITAI features (Lark) and a self-help calorie-counting app (MyFitnessPal). The secondary objective is to estimate the effects of the intervention on main study outcomes. METHODS This study is a single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial with 2 study arms (intervention and control). Participants will be randomly allocated in equal proportions to the intervention (Lark) and control groups (MyFitnessPal). To be eligible for this study, participants must be employed full- or part-time at the university or its medical center, able to read English, have a smartphone, and be interested in controlling their weight. Recruitment strategies entail email invitations, printed posters, and social media postings. We will assess quantitative rates of recruitment, adherence, and retention, self-reported app quality using the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale. We will also assess changes in weight-related outcomes (absolute weight and waist circumference), behavioral outcomes (physical activity and diet), and cognitive factors (motivation to participate in the trial and to manage weight). RESULTS WaznApp was funded in June 2017, and recruitment started in March 2018. CONCLUSIONS This study will provide information as to whether the selected mobile apps offer a feasible solution for promoting weight management in an academic workplace. The results will inform a larger trial whose results might be replicated in similar workplaces in Lebanon and the Middle East and North Africa region, and will be used as a benchmark for further investigations in other settings and similar target groups. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03321331; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03321331 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ys9NOLo5) REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER RR1-10.2196/9793

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Habit-based interventions for weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Obesity ◽

10.1038/s41366-018-0067-4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 374-383 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gina Cleo ◽

Paul Glasziou ◽

Elaine Beller ◽

Elisabeth Isenring ◽

Rae Thomas

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Weight Loss Maintenance ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Randomized Controlled

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High and Low Responders in a Comprehensive Lifestyle Program for Weight Loss - Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000475663 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 232-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dieter Melchart ◽

Erich Wühr ◽

Wolfgang Weidenhammer

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Weight Reduction ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

High Response ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Lifestyle Program

Background/Objectives: Unhealthy lifestyle is often related to overweight and obesity and thus to chronic diseases. Web-based programs might be an option for a comprehensive approach to improving long-term weight management. Data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of a lifestyle program on weight reduction were used for a secondary analysis. The objectives were (a) to identify potential predictors for marked weight loss, (b) to explore associations of weight reduction with changes in health-related variables, and (c) to evaluate whether self-monitoring of the daily lifestyle is associated with weight loss. Methods: 67 subjects with a body mass index of 28-35 who underwent the 1-year ‘Individual Health Management' (IHM) program were included in the analysis (mean age 49.8 years, 79% female). Two subgroups (high response: ≥7.5% weight reduction vs. low response: <7.5%) were compared in terms of sociodemographic data, baseline values, and pre-post changes of various risk and protective factors. A logistic regression was performed to identify potential predictors of weight loss. Results: 70% of the subjects fulfilled the criterion of high response. There were no statistically significant differences between the two subgroups with respect to sociodemographic and baseline data. Regression analysis failed to identify any predictors for the amount of weight reduction. Subjects with high response showed a more distinct improvement in life satisfaction and neurovegetative stability. The findings indicated an association between the level of self-monitoring and weight loss. Conclusions: More research is needed to establish optimal strategies for maximizing the longer-term maintenance of weight loss and prevention effects. For weight reduction, support strategies like feedback learning through self-monitoring, reporting systems, and self-performance measurement with questionnaires might ameliorate high-intensity lifestyle modification programs.

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Effect of an Intensive Weight-Loss Lifestyle Intervention on Kidney Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-97967/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrés Díaz-López ◽

Nerea Becerra-Tomás ◽

Verónica Ruiz ◽

Estefanía Toledo ◽

Nancy Babio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Renal Function ◽

Lifestyle Intervention ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Support Intervention ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Urine Albumin ◽

And Control ◽

Registration Date

Abstract BackgroundLarge randomized trials testing the effect of a multifactorial weight-loss lifestyle intervention including Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on renal function are lacking. Here, we evaluated the 1-year efficacy of an intensive weight-loss intervention with an energy-reduced MedDiet (erMedDiet) plus increased physical activity (PA) on renal function.MethodsRandomized controlled “PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea-Plus” (PREDIMED-Plus) trial conducted in 23 Spanish centers comprising 208 primary care clinics. Overweight/obese (n=6719) adults aged 55-75 years with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intensive weight-loss lifestyle intervention with an erMedDiet, PA promotion and behavioral support (intervention) or usual-care advice to adhere to an energy-unrestricted MedDiet (control) between Sept-2013 and Dec-2016. The primary outcome was 1-year change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary outcomes were changes in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD, eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2 or stage 3 CKD) and micro-macroalbuminuria (UACR≥30 mg/g), and reversion of stage 3 to 2 CKD (eGFR between 60-<90 ml/min/1.73m2) or micro-macroalbuminuria.ResultsAfter 1-year eGFR declined by 0.66 and 1.25 ml/min/1.73m2 in the intervention and control groups, respectively (mean difference, 0.58 ml/min/1.73m2; 95%CI, 0.15 to 1.02). There were no between-group differences in mean UACR or micro-macroalbuminuria changes. CKD incidence and reversion of stage 3 to 2 CKD were 40% lower (HR 0.60; 0.44 to 0.82) and 92% higher (HR 1.92; 1.35 to 2.73), respectively, in the intervention group.ConclusionsThe PREDIMED-Plus lifestyle intervention is an effective approach for preserving renal function and preventing/delaying CKD progression in overweight/obese adults.Trial RegistrationThis study was registered at the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial. isrctn.com Identifier: ISRCTN89898870. Registration date: 24 July 2014-Retrospectively registered.

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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)

Contemporary Clinical Trials ◽

10.1016/j.cct.2020.106026 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 95 ◽

pp. 106026

Author(s):

Heather J. Baer ◽

Barbara A. De La Cruz ◽

Ronen Rozenblum ◽

Nyryan V. Nolido ◽

E. John Orav ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Weight Management ◽

Health Management ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Management Program ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Weight Management Program ◽

Patient Centered ◽

Randomized Controlled

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The role of text messaging intervention in Inner Mongolia among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.2.19637/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xuemei Wang ◽

Dan Liu ◽

Maolin Du ◽

Ruiqi Hao ◽

Huiqiu Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Weight Control ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Sms Intervention ◽

Diet Control ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: Short messages service (SMS) provides a practical medium for delivering content to address patients to adherence to self-management. The aim of study was to design some patient-centered health education messages, evaluate the feasibility of messages, and explore the effect of this model. Methods: The messages were designed by a panel of experts, and SMS Quality Evaluation Questionnaire was used to evaluate their quality. A two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this management model. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention group (IG) who received evaluated messages and a control group (CG) who received regular education. The primary outcomes were changes in plasma glucose and control rates, and the secondary outcomes were improvements in diet control, physical activities, weight control, etc. Results: A total of 42 messages covering five main domains: health awareness, diet control, physical activities, living habits and weight control were designed, and the average scores of the messages were 8.0 (SD 0.7), 8.5 (SD 0.6), 7.9 (SD 1.0), 8.0 (SD 0.7), and 8.4 (SD 0.9), respectively. In the SMS intervention, 171 patients with an average age of 55.1 years were involved, including 86 in the CG and 85 in the IG. At 12 months, compared with the control group (CG), the decrease of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (1.5 vs. 0.4, P = 0.011) and control rate (49.4% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.034), the postprandial glucose (PPG) (5.8 vs. 4.2, P = 0.009) and control rate (57.8% vs. 33.7%, P = 0.002) were better in the intervention group (IG). In terms of self-management, improvements in weight control (49.3% vs. 28.2%, P=0.031), vegetables consumption (87.3% vs. 29.0%, P<0.001), fruits consumption (27.5% vs. 7.4%, P=0.022), and physical activities (84.7% vs. 70.0%, P=0.036) were better in the IG than in the CG. Conclusions: The overall quality of the messages was high. It was effective and feasible to carry out an SMS intervention to improve the behavioral habits of patients with chronic diseases in remote and undeveloped areas. Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus; mHealth; randomized controlled trialTrial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, ChiCTR1900023445. Registered May 28, 2019--Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx

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Randomized controlled trial of financial incentives during weight‐loss induction and maintenance in online group weight control

Obesity ◽

10.1002/oby.23322 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 106-116

Author(s):

Delia S. West ◽

Rebecca A. Krukowski ◽

Courtney M. Monroe ◽

Melissa L. Stansbury ◽

Chelsea A. Carpenter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Financial Incentives ◽

Weight Control ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Online Group

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Auricular Acupuncture Associated with Reduced Waist Circumference in Overweight Women-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/6471560 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Felicity Lillingston ◽

Paul Fields ◽

Randall Waechter

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Treatment Effect ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Auricular Acupuncture ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Impact

Obesity and subsequent ill health have reached epidemic proportions in developed countries, and many developing countries are on the same trajectory. Weight loss and sustaining a healthy weight have posed a significant challenge for individuals, patients, health-care providers, and public health experts. The literature suggests that dietary advice and lifestyle changes alone have limited sustainable impact for those who are seeking to achieve a healthy weight. Supplementary techniques to control weight, such as acupuncture and auricular acupuncture (AA), have shown mixed results and failed to clearly demonstrate a conclusive impact. This study aimed to provide clarity about the impact of AA on weight loss via a randomized controlled trial. Data were collected from patients to identify measurable girth reduction, weight loss, dietary choices, and mood changes over seven weekly sessions of AA (n = 30) versus sham needle as control (n = 28). Results demonstrated a large and highly significant AA treatment effect for reduced waist circumference over the course of the seven-week intervention. While the treatment effect for weight loss and BMI was not significant, this negative result may have been mediated by the relatively short duration of the study. Results also demonstrated a significant mood improvement across participants in both the AA intervention and control group as the intervention progressed. Further studies are required to determine if the reduction in waist circumference is driven specifically by the AA alone or in conjunction with improved mood. The results also have potentially significant implications for healthcare delivery in the fight against overweight and obesity.

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