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Innovative approaches to weight loss in a high‐risk population: The small changes and lasting effects (SCALE) trial
Author(s) -
Phillips Erica G.,
Wells Martin T.,
Winston Ginger,
Ramos Rosio,
Devine Carol M.,
Wethington Elaine,
Peterson Janey C.,
Wansink Brian,
Charlson Mary
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21780
Subject(s) - weight loss , medicine , weight change , psychosocial , body mass index , randomized controlled trial , population , confidence interval , weight gain , demography , gerontology , obesity , physical therapy , body weight , psychiatry , environmental health , sociology
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a small change behavioral weight loss intervention with or without a positive affect/self‐affirmation (PA/SA) component on weight loss at 12 months. Methods Black and Hispanic adults ( N = 405) with body mass index 25‐50 kg/m 2 selected one of ten small change eating strategies and a physical activity goal, randomly with/without PA/SA. Participants were followed by community health workers at set intervals (weekly in months 1‐3; biweekly in months 4‐9; once monthly in months 10‐12). Results There was no difference in weight loss at 12 months between participants in the small change approach alone (1.1%) versus the small change PA/SA intervention (1.2%). During treatment, 9% of participants lost at least 7% of their initial body weight. Participants who reported more interval life events had a lower likelihood of losing weight ( P < 0.0001). However, those randomized to the small change PA/SA intervention gained less weight (+0.3% vs. 2.3% gain; P < 0.0001). Conclusions The small change PA/SA intervention did not lead to a significant difference in weight loss in comparison to the small change approach alone. It did, however, decrease the negative impact of psychosocial stressors on weight gain among participants with more interval life events.