Premium
Evaluation of ‘JenMe’, a Commercially‐Delivered Weight Management Program for Adolescents: a Randomised Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Bonham Maxine P,
Dordevic Aimee L,
Ware Robert S,
Truby Helen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.456.7
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , confidence interval , weight management , physical therapy , body mass index , quality of life (healthcare) , weight loss , obesity , intervention (counseling) , intention to treat analysis , nursing
Objective Adolescent obesity is difficult to treat and widely accessible treatment options with proven efficacy remain scarce. This study evaluated a commercially available, structured short‐term weight management program designed for obese adolescents delivered by non‐health professionals. Methods A multi‐site parallel‐group randomised controlled trial was conducted to evaluate a commercial 12 week lifestyle behavioral program in commercial weight management centres in Australia. Eligible participants (13–17 years, BMI z score ≥1.282 with no presenting morbidities) were randomized (n=88) to intervention or wait‐list and the program was delivered by consultants at participating weight management centres. The primary outcome was change in BMI z score. Secondary outcomes included the psychometric variables quality of life, body esteem and self‐esteem. Data was analyzed according to intention‐to‐treat principles. Results Of 88 participants randomised, 74 enrolled into the program and 12‐week data was available for 55 individuals (74%). A significantly greater decrease in BMI z‐score in the intervention group (n=32) was observed when compared with the wait‐list control group (mean difference (MD) = −0.27 kg/m 2 ; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.37, −0.17; P<0.001). Participants allocated to receive the lifestyle intervention reported a greater improvement in body esteem (MD=2.3, 95%CI, 0.6, 4.1; P=0.009) and quality of life (MD=7.8, 95%CI, 1.6, 14.0; P=0.01) compared with the wait‐list control group. Similarly, intervention group participants had greater physical activity levels (MD=0.09 metabolic equivalents, 95%CI, 0.02, 0.17; P=0.03) compared with the wait‐list control group. Conclusions This evaluation provides evidence that a structured lifestyle intervention delivered by a commercial provider in an adolescent population can result in clinically relevant weight loss and improvements in psychosocial outcomes in the short term. Further research is required to evaluate long term outcomes Support or Funding Information The study was funded by Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres Pty Ltd as a research grant to A/Prof Bonham and Prof Truby. By contractual agreement, scientists (MB, HT, AD) at Monash University and other participating institutions (RW) have responsibility and independence regarding data management, analysis and publication.