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Effectiveness of a self‐regulation intervention for weight loss: A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Frie Kerstin,
HartmannBoyce Jamie,
Jebb Susan A.,
Aveyard Paul
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/bjhp.12436
Subject(s) - weight loss , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , medicine , psychology , obesity , psychiatry
Objectives To evaluate effectiveness and acceptability of a novel intervention, based on self‐regulation theory, for weight loss. Design A two‐arm parallel group design was employed. Methods Adult participants with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 and the aim to lose weight were recruited and randomized to either a control or intervention group. Both groups were asked to weigh themselves daily for eight weeks. The intervention group was encouraged to use a weight tracking app, and complete daily and weekly questionnaires to prompt action planning, reflection, and evaluation of actions. Participants chose daily actions from a menu of 53 behaviours. The primary outcome was weight change after 8 weeks, assessed using linear mixed effects models. At follow‐up, 20 intervention group participants were interviewed regarding their experiences in the trial. Results 100 participants were recruited, and 98% were followed up at 8 weeks. Mean weight loss was −4.18 kg ( SD = 3.84) in the intervention compared to −1.01 kg ( SD = 2.67) in the control group; the adjusted difference was −3.20 kg (95% CI −4.49, −1.92). Participants rated the intervention’s usefulness as 8.25 ( SD = 2.04) on a scale from 1 to 10. Adherence was a significant independent predictor of weight loss success (−1.54 kg per one SD , 95% CI −2.16, −0.93), but not a mediator of the intervention effect. Participants reported that the intervention enabled them to experiment with and identify effective weight loss actions. Conclusions Guiding participants through the self‐regulation process was feasible, acceptable to participants, and led to significantly greater short‐term weight loss than unguided self‐weighing.