App Engagement as a Predictor of Weight Loss in Blended-Care Interventions: Retrospective Observational Study Using Large-Scale Real-World Data.

BACKGROUND: Early weight loss is an established predictor for treatment outcomes in weight management interventions for people with obesity. However, there is a paucity of additional, reliable, and clinically actionable early predictors in weight management interventions. Novel blended-care weight management interventions combine coach and app support and afford new means of structured, continuous data collection, informing research on treatment adherence and outcome prediction. OBJECTIVE: Against this backdrop, this study analyzes app engagement as a predictor for weight loss in large-scale, real-world, blended-care interventions. We hypothesize that patients who engage more frequently in app usage in blended-care treatment (eg, higher logging activity) lose more weight than patients who engage comparably less frequently at 3 and 6 months of intervention. METHODS: Real-world data from 19,211 patients in obesity treatment were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were treated with 3 different blended-care weight management interventions, offered in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Germany by a digital behavior change provider. The principal component analysis identified an overarching metric for app engagement based on app usage. A median split informed a distinction in higher and lower engagers among the patients. Both groups were matched through optimal propensity score matching for relevant characteristics (eg, gender, age, and start weight). A linear regression model, combining patient characteristics and app-derived data, was applied to identify predictors for weight loss outcomes. RESULTS: For the entire sample (N=19,211), mean weight loss was -3.24% (SD 4.58%) at 3 months and -5.22% (SD 6.29%) at 6 months. Across countries, higher app engagement yielded more weight loss than lower engagement after 3 but not after 6 months of intervention (P3 months<.001 and P6 months=.59). Early app engagement within the first 3 months predicted percentage weight loss in Switzerland and Germany, but not in the United Kingdom (PSwitzerland<.001, PUnited Kingdom=.12, and PGermany=.005). Higher age was associated with stronger weight loss in the 3-month period (PSwitzerland=.001, PUnited Kingdom=.002, and PGermany<.001) and, for Germany, also in the 6-month period (PSwitzerland=.09, PUnited Kingdom=.46, and PGermany=.03). In Switzerland, higher numbers of patients' messages to coaches were associated with higher weight loss (P3 months<.001 and P6 months<.001). Messages from coaches were not significantly associated with weight loss (all P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early app engagement is a predictor of weight loss, with higher engagement yielding more weight loss than lower engagement in this analysis. This new predictor lends itself to automated monitoring and as a digital indicator for needed or adapted clinical action. Further research needs to establish the reliability of early app engagement as a predictor for treatment adherence and outcomes. In general, the obtained results testify to the potential of app-derived data to inform clinical monitoring practices and intervention design.

Individual and family characteristics associated with health indicators at entry into multidisciplinary pediatric weight management: findings from the CANadian Pediatric Weight management Registry (CANPWR).

OBJECTIVES: (1) To explore individual and family characteristics related to anthropometric and cardiometabolic health indicators and (2) examine whether characteristics that correlate with cardiometabolic health indicators differ across severity of obesity at time of entry to Canadian pediatric weight management clinics. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2-17 year olds with overweight or obesity who registered in the CANadian Pediatric Weight Management Registry (CANPWR) between May 2013 and October 2017 prior to their first clinic visit. Individual modifiable health behaviors included dietary intake, physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Family characteristics included parental BMI, family medical history, socioeconomic status and family structure. Linear mixed effects stepwise regression analysis was performed to determine which characteristics were related to each health indicator: BMI z-score; waist circumference; waist to height ratio; blood pressure; glycemia; HDL cholesterol; non-HDL cholesterol; triglycerides. RESULTS: This study included 1296 children (mean age ± standard deviation: 12.1 ± 3.5 years; BMI z-score: 3.55 ± 1.29; 95.3% with obesity). Hours spent sleeping (estimated ß = -0.10; 95% CI [-0.15, -0.05], p = 0.0001), hours per week of organized physical activity (estimated ß = -0.32; 95% CI [-0.53, -0.11], p = 0.0026), daily sugared drink intake (estimated ß = 0.06; 95% CI [0.01, 0.10], p = 0.0136) and maternal BMI (estimated ß = 0.03; 95% CI [0.02, 0.04], p < 0.0001) were associated with BMI z-score (adj. R2 = 0.2084), independent of other individual and family characteristics. Physical activity, total sugared drink intake and sleep duration were associated with glycemia and non-HDL cholesterol, independent of child BMI z-score. However, irrespective of obesity severity, little of the variance (0.86-11.1%) in cardiometabolic health indicators was explained by individual modifiable health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, total sugared drink intake and hours spent sleeping were related to anthropometric and some cardiometabolic health indicators in children entering pediatric weight management programs. This highlights the importance of these modifiable health behaviors on multiple health indicators in children with obesity.

Halo effect of a Mediterranean-lifestyle weight-loss intervention on untreated family members' weight and physical activity: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is subject to strong family clustering. The relatives of participants in weight-loss interventions may also modify their lifestyle and lose weight. The aim of this study was to examine the presence and magnitude of a halo effect in untreated family members of participants enrolled in a randomized, multi-component, lifestyle intervention. METHODS: A total of 148 untreated adult family members of participants in an intensive weight-loss lifestyle intervention (the PREDIMED-Plus study) were included. Changes at 1 and 2 years in body weight, physical activity, and adherence to a traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) were measured. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess whether the change differed between family members of the intervention group compared to the control. RESULTS: Untreated family members from the intervention group displayed a greater weight loss than those from the control after 1 and 2 years: adjusted 2-year weight change difference between groups was -3.98 (SE 1.10) kg (p < 0.001). There was a halo effect with regard to adherence to the MedDiet at one year which was sustained at two years: 2-year adjusted difference in MedDiet score change +3.25 (SE 0.46) (p < 0.001). In contrast, no halo effect was observed with regard to physical activity, as the untreated family members did not substantially modify their physical activity levels in either group, and the adjusted difference at two years between the 2 groups was -272 (SE 624) METs.min/week (p = 0.665). CONCLUSIONS: In the first prospective study to assess the influence on untreated family members of a diet and physical activity weight-loss intervention, we found evidence of a halo effect in relatives on weight loss and improvement in adherence to a MedDiet, but not on physical activity. The expansion of MedDiet changes from individuals involved in a weight-loss intervention to their family members can be a facilitator for obesity prevention.

A staged approach to address youth unresponsive to initial obesity intervention: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Maintenance interventions inherently require BMI improvement to maintain. This overlooks individuals initially unresponsive to obesity interventions. Staged pediatric clinical treatment guidelines were adapted to the school setting to develop an escalated treatment option for individuals initially unresponsive. This staged randomized controlled trial examined differences between escalated treatment (Take CHARGE!) and a maintenance program (PE Planners). Take CHARGE was hypothesized to have greater improvements in BMI as a percentage of the 95th BMI Percentile (%BMIp95) than PE Planners. SUBJECTS/METHODS: From 2018 to 2020, 171 middle and high schoolers (BMI Percentile ≥ 85) were recruited from a Houston school district to participate in a staged obesity intervention in their physical education (PE) class. After receiving a semester-long intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) with established efficacy, all participants were randomized to Take CHARGE (n = 85) or PE Planners (n = 86). Take CHARGE escalated the behavioral treatment of obesity received in ILI with more frequent individual sessions, additional opportunities for parental and school staff involvement, and increased mentorship from trained college students. PE Planners allowed participants to decide how they wanted to be active in PE class. Mixed linear modeling examined %BMIp95 overtime between groups. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (#NCT04362280). RESULTS: Participants were 13.63 ± 1.32 years old; 59% were female, and 85% were Hispanic. Among those initially unresponsive to ILI, Take CHARGE had significantly greater decreases in %BMIp95 than PE Planners (ß = -0.01, p < 0.01). Conversely, among those initially responsive, Take CHARGE had significantly smaller decreases in %BMIp95 than PE Planners (ß = 0.02, p < 0.05). Intention-to-treat analysis had similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Participant outcomes in semester two differed based on initial response. Individuals responsive to initial intervention were most likely to benefit from a maintenance intervention and those initially unresponsive benefited more from escalated treatment. This indicates the need for staged intervention protocols to better address obesity in the school setting.

Temporal patterns of physical activity in successful weight loss maintainers.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Individuals successful at weight loss maintenance engage in high amounts of physical activity (PA). Understanding how and when weight loss maintainers accumulate PA within a day and across the week may inform PA promotion strategies and recommendations for weight management. METHODS: We compared patterns of PA in a cohort of weight loss maintainers (WLM, n = 28, maintaining ≥13.6 kg weight loss for ≥1 year, BMI 23.6 ± 2.3 kg/m2), controls without obesity (NC, n = 30, BMI similar to current BMI of WLM, BMI 22.8 ± 1.9 kg/m2), and controls with overweight/obesity (OC, n = 26, BMI similar to pre-weight loss BMI of WLM, 33.6 ± 5.1 kg/m2). PA was assessed during 7 consecutive days using the activPALTM activity monitor. The following variables were quantified; sleep duration, sedentary time (SED), light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), and steps. Data were examined to determine differences in patterns of PA across the week and across the day using mixed effect models. RESULTS: Across the week, WLM engaged in ≥60 min of MVPA on 73% of days, significantly more than OC (36%, p < 0.001) and similar to NC (59%, p = 0.10). Across the day, WLM accumulated more MVPA in the morning (i.e., within 3 h of waking) compared to both NC and OC (p < 0.01). WLM engaged in significantly more MVPA accumulated in bouts ≥10 min compared to NC and OC (p < 0.05). Specifically, WLM engaged in more MVPA accumulated in bouts of ≥60 min compared to NC and OC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: WLM engage in high amounts of MVPA (≥60 min/d) on more days of the week, accumulate more MVPA in sustained bouts, and accumulate more MVPA in the morning compared to controls. Future research should investigate if these distinct patterns of PA help to promote weight loss maintenance.

Extended follow-up of a short total diet replacement programme: results of the Doctor Referral of Overweight People to Low Energy total diet replacement Treatment (DROPLET) randomised controlled trial at 3 years.

OBJECTIVES: To test the long-term effectiveness of a total diet replacement programme (TDR) for routine treatment of obesity in a primary care setting. METHODS: This study was a pragmatic, two-arm, parallel-group, open-label, individually randomised controlled trial in adults with obesity. The outcomes were change in weight and biomarkers of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk from baseline to 3 years, analysed as intention-to-treat with mixed effects models. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention was TDR for 8 weeks, followed by food-reintroduction over 4 weeks. Behavioural support was provided weekly for 8 weeks, bi-weekly for the next 4 weeks, then monthly for 3 months after which no further support was provided. The usual care (UC) group received dietary advice and behavioural support from a practice nurse for up to 3 months. RESULTS: Outcome measures were collected from 179 (66%) participants. Compared with baseline, at 3 years the TDR group lost -6.2 kg (SD 9.1) and usual care -2.7 kg (SD 7.7); adjusted mean difference -3.3 kg (95% CI: -5.2, -1.5), p < 0.0001. Regain from programme end (6 months) to 3 years was greater in TDR group +8.9 kg (SD 9.4) than UC + 1.2, (SD 9.1); adjusted mean difference +6.9 kg (95% CI 4.2, 9.5) P < 0.001. At 3 years TDR led to greater reductions than UC in diastolic blood pressure (mean difference -3.3 mmHg (95% CI:-6.2; -0.4) P = 0.024), and systolic blood pressure (mean differences -3.7 mmHg (95% CI: -7.4; 0.1) P = 0.057). There was no evidence of differences between groups in the change from baseline to 3 years HbA1c (-1.9 mmol/mol (95% CI: -0.7; 4.5; P = 0.15), LDL cholesterol concentrations (0.2 mmol/L (95% CI -0.3, 0.7) P = 0.39), cardiovascular risk score (QRISK2) (-0.37 (95% CI -0.96; 0.22); P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of people with obesity with a TDR programme compared with support from a practice nurse leads to greater weight loss which persists to at least 3 years, but there was only evidence of sustained improvements in BP and not in other aspects of cardiometabolic risk.

Socio-demographic predictors of uptake of a virtual group weight management program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant adverse impact on the delivery of weight management programmes (WMPs), in order to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals. Videoconferencing could provide safe remote access to group WMPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to determine the uptake of a virtual group WMP and its predictors. METHODS: All patients enrolled on a face-to-face group WMP, which constitutes part of a Tier 3 WMP delivered by the NHS, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were invited to transfer to a virtual format of the group WMP. Baseline data included weight, BMI, age, gender, ethnicity and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile score. The outcomes were accept/decline transfer to the virtual group WMP. Logistic regression was performed to assess for predictors of uptake. RESULTS: The 315 participants were included, of which 72.1% (n = 227) accepted. After adjusting for gender, deprivation and BMI; older patients (OR 0.966, [95% CI 0.944, 0.989]; p = 0.003) and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicity (BAME) patients (OR 0.460 [95% 0.248, 0.851]; p = 0.023) were less likely to accept the virtual group WMP. CONCLUSION: Strategies aimed at improving uptake of group WMP among BAME and older adult groups are needed, particularly considering the increased risk of severe COVID-19 in these two groups, and the links between obesity and poor COVID-19 outcomes.

The Doctor Will "Friend" You Now: A Qualitative Study on Adolescents' Preferences for Weight Management App Features.

OBJECTIVES: Primary care providers report a lack of resources as a barrier to managing adolescent obesity. Mobile health applications (apps) may be helpful in weight management; however, adolescents' preferences for weight management app features are unknown. Our objectives were to provide insight into adolescents' preferred weight management app features and elicit facilitators and barriers to app use. METHODS: Using the qualitative content analysis method, 14 interviews with adolescents with overweight/obesity were conducted in rural and urban pediatric offices in South Carolina. Eligibility criteria included being 13 to 17 years old, having a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex, and having access to a smartphone or tablet. Semistructured key informant interviews were conducted from May to October 2017. Participants were presented with three popular mobile health apps and asked to complete tasks and comment on their various features and usability. Summative content analysis coding was performed on interview transcripts, and interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of participants were from a rural practice, 64% were White, and 86% had a body mass index higher than the 95th percentile. Familiarity with similar apps and accessibility of apps on their smartphones promoted app use. The need for wireless Internet, operating difficulties, or privacy concerns were barriers. Nutritional education, physical activity tracking, and social connection were desirable app features. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents have expressed preferred app features to help them manage weight; however, further work is needed to see whether these features are effective.

Patients Desire Personalized, Specific, and Continuous Advice on Weight Management.

OBJECTIVE: To deliver effective care, healthcare systems should understand patients' preferences for weight management across a spectrum of needs. Our objective was to describe patients' perceptions of what helps or hinders weight loss and maintenance. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients who accessed weight management services at a large integrated health system in 2018. The interview guide was developed and iteratively refined through a literature search and by consulting experts. Questions included the respondent's weight history, interactions with the health system, and current health status. The analysis used a grounded theory approach, and each transcript was double-coded in 2019. Codes were sorted into themes. All discrepancies were resolved through team discussion. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were interviewed. The majority of respondents (87%) reported multiple weight loss attempts. Three themes were identified. First, advice should be matched to a patient's knowledge and prior experience (eg, using bariatric deck cards). As patients progressed, clinician advice also needed to advance (eg, explaining how to expand food options instead of defining a healthy diet). Second, respondents had a variety of motivating factors, and understanding where motivation is generated from can inform how to design a weight management approach. Third, patients need continual and long-term advice. Some respondents feared becoming ineligible for services if their weight dropped too much. CONCLUSIONS: Health systems can support patients by developing processes for identifying the extent of a patient's knowledge and giving personalized advice based on the patient's preferences and experiences. Reassessing needs at defined intervals may help patients attain and sustain their goals.

Behavioral and Cardiovascular Effects of a Behavioral Weight Loss Program for People Living with HIV.

We recently reported that a 12-week internet weight loss program produced greater weight losses than education control in overweight/obese people living with HIV (PLWH) (4.4 kg vs 1.0 kg; p < 0.05). This manuscript presents the changes in diet, physical activity, behavioral strategies, and cardio-metabolic parameters. Participants (N = 40; 21 males, 19 females) were randomly assigned to an internet behavioral weight loss (WT LOSS) program or internet education control (CONTROL) and assessed before and after the 12-week program. Compared to CONTROL, the WT LOSS arm reported greater use of behavioral strategies, decreases in intake (- 681 kcal/day; p = 0.002), modest, non-significant, increases in daily steps (+ 1079 steps/day) and improvements on the Healthy Eating Index. There were no significant effects on cardio-metabolic parameters. The study suggests that a behavioral weight loss program increases the use of behavioral strategies and modestly improves dietary intake and physical activity in PLWH. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are needed.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT02421406.

Weight change among repeat participants of an Aboriginal community-based weight loss program.

BACKGROUND: Community-based weight loss programs may have potential to address overweight and obesity at the population level. However, participation patterns and individual outcomes from these programs are understudied. This study examined repeat participation patterns and participant weight change between contests over seven years of an Aboriginal Australian team-based program in order to identify (1) predictors of repeat participation and (2) associations with weight change between contests. METHODS: Data for the 12 contests from 2012 to 2018 were merged, with probabilistic record matching. A total of 7510 enrolments were registered for the 12 contests, representing 4438 unique people. Contest lengths varied from 10 to 16 weeks in duration. Non-repeat participants were those who only competed once in the program by the end of 2018, and repeaters were those who competed in at least two contests. Associations between repeat participation and participant baseline (i.e., first participation occasion) characteristics, change in diet and physical activity and percent change in weight during the first participation occasion were examined using crossed random effects (for person and team) regression adjusted for exposure to the program. Weight percentage change between contests was calculated for consecutive participation occasions occurring at least three months apart, converted to percent change per month. Weight change was regressed on number of repeat participation occasions adjusted for age, gender, baseline weight at first participation occasion, and weight percent change in the immediately preceding contest. RESULTS: One-third of the 4433 participants participated more than once, with women more likely than men to repeat. A 1% reduction in weight during a competition was associated with an increase in weight of 0.05% per month between competition end and subsequent participation. Regain was smaller the heavier participants were at their first participation. CONCLUSIONS: While individuals benefit from weight loss through program participation, strengthening strategies for weight loss maintenance within or following the program could improve long-term weight outcomes and reduce weight cycling.

Exploring the influences on men's engagement with weight loss services: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Engagement of men with commercial and UK National Health Service (NHS) weight loss services is low, and few studies report on why this may be. However, evidence shows that men who do participate in weight loss programmes tend to lose as much, or more weight than women. The present study aimed to explore men's experiences and expectations of mainstream weight loss services in the UK, following referral from a medical professional, particular in relation to barriers and motivators. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 men with a BMI over 25 kg/m2 including those who had, and had not, attended group-based or one-to-one weight loss services. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two themes were identified; 'Fear as a motivation for change' (1) and 'Attitudes towards existing weight loss services' (2). Within theme two, two subthemes were identified; 'Female dominated services' and 'Incompatibility of existing services for men'. The findings suggest that fear, as a result of a medical diagnosis or referral is a mechanism for motivating men to engage with weight loss services. This was often augmented by awareness of other people's experiences of poor health due to their weight. The gender imbalance and attitudes towards existing weight loss services deterred men from engaging with or continuously attending sessions. This imbalance resulted in feelings of self-consciousness, shame and a perceived stigma for men using weight loss services. These experiences highlighted the importance of providing services which align with men's preferences to promote engagement. CONCLUSIONS: A medical diagnosis or referral serves as a strong motivator for men to engage with weight loss services by invoking fear of negative consequences of not losing weight. Men perceived weight loss services to be feminised spaces, in which they felt self-conscious and out of place. As a result, men were deterred from engaging and considered their options were limited. Implications for service design and commissioning are discussed. Involving men in research, service design and evaluation is key to improving their engagement and weight loss.

No additional long-term effect of group vs individual family intervention in the treatment of childhood obesity-A randomised trial.

AIM: Long-term evaluations of childhood obesity treatments are needed. We examined changes in weight and cardiometabolic risk 1 year after children completed individual family or group-based weight management interventions. METHODS: In 2009-2010, 6- to 12-year-old children with overweight or obesity from Finnmark and Troms (Norway) were recruited after media coverage and randomised to 24 months of individual family (n = 49) or group intervention (n = 48). Individual family intervention included counselling by a paediatric hospital team and a public health nurse in the local community. Group intervention included meetings with other families and a multidisciplinary hospital team, weekly physical activity sessions and a family camp. The primary outcome body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic risk factors were analysed 12 months after intervention. RESULTS: From baseline to 36 months, children's BMI increased 3.0 kg/m2 in individual family and 2.1 kg/m2 in group intervention (between-group -0.9kg/m2 , P = 0.096). Data were available from 62 children (64%). Between-group differences in C peptide (P = 0.01) were detected in favour of group intervention. Pooled data from both treatment groups showed continued decrease in BMI standard deviation score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: No between-group difference in BMI was observed 12 months after intervention. Both groups combined showed sustained decrease in BMI standard deviation score.

Recruitment and reach in a pragmatic behavioral weight loss randomized controlled trial: implications for real-world primary care practice.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major risk factor behind some of the most common problems encountered in primary care. Although effective models for obesity treatment have been developed, the 'reach' of these interventions is poor and only a small fraction of primary care patients receive evidence-based treatment. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that impact the uptake (reach) of an evidence-based obesity treatment program within the context of a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial comparing three models of care delivery. METHODS: Recruitment and reach were evaluated by the following measures: 1) mailing response rates, 2) referral sources among participants contacting the study team, 3) eligibility rates, 4) participation rates, and 5) representativeness based on demographics, co-morbid conditions, and healthcare utilization of 1432 enrolled participants compared to > 17,000 non-participants from the clinic-based patient populations. Referral sources and participation rates were compared across study arms and level of clinic engagement. RESULTS: The response rate to clinic-based mailings was 13.2% and accounted for 66% of overall program recruitment. An additional 22% of recruitment came from direct clinic referrals and 11% from media, family, or friends. Of those screened, 87% were eligible; among those eligible, 86% enrolled in the trial. Participation rates did not vary across the three care delivery arms, but were higher at clinics with high compared to low provider involvement. In addition, clinics with high provider involvement had a higher rate of in clinic referrals (33% versus 16%) and a more representative sample with regards to BMI, rurality, and months since last clinic visit. However, across clinics, enrolled participants compared to non-participants were older, more likely to be female, more likely to have had a joint replacement but less likely to have CVD or smoke, and had fewer hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of direct patient mailings and in-clinic referrals may enhance the reach of primary care behavioral weight loss interventions, although more proactive outreach is likely necessary for men, younger patients, and those at greater medial risk. Strategies are needed to enhance provider engagement in referring patients to behavioral weight loss programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clnicialtrials.gov NCT02456636. Registered May 28, 2015, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=RE-POWER&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=.

A systematic review of UK-based long-term nonsurgical interventions for people with severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg m-2 ).

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this project was to systematically review UK evidence on the effectiveness of long-term (≥12 months) weight management services (WMSs) for weight loss and weight maintenance for adults (≥16 years) with severe obesity (body mass index ≥35 kg m-2 ), who would generally be eligible for Tier 3 services. METHODS: Four data sources were searched from 1999 to October 2018. RESULTS: Our searches identified 20 studies, mostly noncomparative studies: 10 primary care interventions, nine in secondary care specialist weight management clinics and one commercial setting intervention. A programme including a phase of low energy formula diet (810-833 kcal day-1 ) showed the largest mean (SD) weight change at 12 months of -12.4 (11.4) kg for complete cases, with 25.3% dropout. Limitations or differences in evaluation and reporting (particularly for denominators), unclear dropout rates, and differences between participant groups in terms of comorbidities and psychological characteristics, made comparisons between WMSs and inferences challenging. CONCLUSIONS: There is a persistent and clear need for guidance on long-term weight data collection and reporting methods to allow comparisons across studies and services for participants with severe obesity. Data could also include quality of life, clinical outcomes, adverse events, costs and economic outcomes. A randomised trial comparison of National Health Service Tier 3 services with commercial WMSs would be of value.

How does whole of government action address inequities in obesity? A case study from Australia.

BACKGROUND: There are many factors across different sectors that contribute to inequities in obesity levels. This implies the need for action across different government departments and policy domains (hereafter referred to as whole of government multisectoral action). In this study we explored the public policy attention given to inequities in obesity using an Australian case study. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 33 stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the whole of government Healthy Weight Initiative (HWI). A thematic analysis was undertaken to identify ways in which government policy makers and implementers explicitly or implicitly described how actions delivered through the HWI addressed inequities in obesity within the population. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that the focus of the HWI was predominantly aimed at the general population, with minimal attention given to addressing the social distribution of obesity. The reasons for this were explained in terms of five themes: (1) rationale for a population wide approach; (2) when to apply an equity lens, (3) issues of government responsibility, (4) philosophically opposing concepts of equity, and (5) tensions across departments as a result of competing concepts of equity. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to create a shared understanding plus a concern for addressing inequities in public policy, regardless of whether or not a universal population-wide or a targeted approach is being applied. It is also important that policies and programs address the social distribution of obesity while understanding local contexts and needs. In striving to develop policy that brings an explicit focus on health equity, policymakers must consider the sociological, political, economic, and philosophical tensions at play between different policy actors and government departments, and identify how to navigate these without reverting to siloed working.

Multidisciplinary obesity treatment program improved health-related quality of life and positively correlated with anthropometric and body composition but not with cardiorespiratory fitness parameters in adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of a 16-week multidisciplinary obesity treatment program (MOTP) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents with weight excess. In addition, we verified a possible association between changes on HRQoL and anthropometric, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) parameters. METHODS: Two hundred four adolescents aged from 15 to 18 years were distributed in control group (CG) and intervention group (IG). They underwent a 16-week MOTP composed by nutritional, psychological, and health-related physical activity group sessions. Moreover, they performed physical exercise sessions three times per week during the whole 16-week program. Data on HRQoL, body composition, CRF and anthropometry were collected using standard protocols and validated questionnaires. RESULTS: The MOTP promoted significant enhancements in all HRQoL domains, except for the school domain in IG. Furthermore, positive correlations between HRQoL and body weight (BW), body fat (BF), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI) z-score were verified. Higher scores of HRQoL might be achieved by improving these variables. CONCLUSIONS: The 16-week MOTP was effective to improve HRQoL in adolescents with weight excess. This improvement has a positive correlation with enhancements in BW, BMI z-score, WC, and BF. Nevertheless, these findings have not reached a consensus on literature and still need to be further enlightened.

Does diet strictness level during weekends and holiday periods influence 1-year follow-up weight loss maintenance? Evidence from the Portuguese Weight Control Registry.

There is not much evidence about how diet strictness during weekends and holidays influence long-term weight loss maintenance. Our aim was to examine how dieting more or less strictly during weekends and holidays (vs. weekdays and non-holiday periods) influence weight loss maintenance.Participants (n = 108) from the Portuguese Weight Control Registry indicated whether they had a more or less strict diet regimen during weekends compared to weekdays. A similar question about holiday and non-holiday period' diet regimen was answered. Weight and height were measured at baseline and 1y follow-up. A 3% maximum weight variation defined participants as "non-regainers".General level on dieting strictness on weekends vs. weekdays (r = - 0.28, p < 0.01) and holidays vs. non-holidays (r = - 0.33, p < 0.001) predicted 1y weight change.Participants who reported being less strict on weekends (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.81) were more likely to be non-regainers when compared with the ones who reported being more strict on weekends. Non-significant results were found during holidays (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.20-1.09).Adopting a less strict diet regimen during weekends, when compared to weekdays, was a behavioral strategy associated with long-term weight management in our sample.

No effect of weight intervention on perinatal outcomes in obese women scheduled for in vitro fertilization treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Large observational studies have shown that obstetric and perinatal outcomes are negatively affected in obese women. In contrast, a recent Dutch randomized trial of infertile women and lifestyle weight intervention found no difference between the weight intervention group and the control group in obstetric or neonatal outcomes. We have recently published a large Nordic randomized trial where obese women scheduled for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment went through an intensive weight intervention treatment before IVF. No significant effect on live birth rate was found, despite large weight loss in the intervention group. The present study was conducted primarily to find out the effect of weight intervention in obese women scheduled for IVF on mean birthweight and mean deviation from expected birthweight, and secondarily the effect on other perinatal and maternal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of a prospective, randomized controlled trial performed between 2010 and 2016 in the Nordic countries was performed. In all, 317 women were randomized either to weight reduction and IVF treatment (n = 160) or IVF only (n = 157) and the primary end-point was live birth. From this study, all births were analyzed for perinatal and maternal outcomes. Nine infertility clinics participated, including women < 38 years of age planning for IVF, and having a body mass index ≥ 30 and < 35 kg/m2 . Data concerning perinatal and maternal outcomes were gathered from maternal health-care and delivery records for mother and child. All analyses were performed on singletons only. RESULTS: There were 87 live births, 45 singletons in the intervention group and 41 singletons and one twin birth in the control group. The maternal characteristics for the women having a live birth were comparable in the two groups. The primary outcomes, mean birthweight, in the weight intervention and IVF group and the IVF only group were; 3486 g (standard deviation [SD] 523) vs 3584 g (SD 509) (P = 0.46), mean difference -98.6 g (95% confidence interval [CI] -320.3 to 123.2); deviation from expected birthweight 0.25% (SD 10.4) vs 0.87% (SD 12.9), mean difference 1.1% (95% CI -6.1 to 3.9). The estimates of the secondary perinatal and maternal outcomes in the 2 groups were: preterm birth < 37 weeks 2 (4.4%) vs 1 (2.4%) (odds ratio [OR] 1.95; 95% CI 0.17-22.36), small-for-gestational-age 0 (0%) vs 1 (2.4%), mean gestational age (days) 278 vs 280 (P = 0.95), preeclampsia 5 (11.1%) vs 4 (9.8%) (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.30-4.76), cesarean section 13 (28.9%) vs 10 (24.4%) (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.45-2.94). CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes in both groups were generally good. There are no indications that weight intervention in this setting, in infertile women with obesity WHO class 1 undergoing IVF, has a negative impact on mean birthweight and deviation from expected birthweight. However, the data are not sufficiently robust to draw firm conclusions concerning other outcomes.

Enrolment of families with overweight children into a program aimed at reducing childhood obesity with and without a weight criterion: a natural experiment.

BACKGROUND: Difficulties engaging families with overweight children to enrol into programs aimed at reducing childhood obesity have been well documented. During the implementation of the Parenting, Eating and Activity for Child Health Program (PEACH™) over a large geographical area (Queensland (QLD), Australia), a natural experiment developed. This experiment provided an opportunity to observe if there was a difference in enrolment for families with overweight children with a weight criterion (referred to as the period with a Targeted Eligibility Criterion (TEC)) compared to when a weight criterion was removed (the period referred to as Universal Eligibility Criterion (UEC)). We also examined the eligibility criterion's relationship with attendance, parental concern about their child's weight, estimation of overweight and obesity from parent-reported data. METHODS: A secondary analysis of baseline data from 926 overweight/obese children from 817 families enrolled in PEACH™ QLD was performed. Analyses were adjusted to control for the presence of clustered data. Bivariate statistics were performed using Pearson chi-square test with the second-order Rao-Scott correction, and Mann-Whitney U-test for non-parametric continuous variables. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) explored the association between weight status-based eligibility criteria and enrolment of overweight children. GEE were adjusted for sex, age and socioeconomic index and stratified for weight category. RESULTS: Compared to obese children, overweight children were almost twice as likely to be enrolled when the program did not have weight status-based eligibility criteria (during UEC period) (OR = 1.90 (CI 95% 1.35-2.68, p <  0.001)). Parents of overweight children enrolled during the UEC period were more likely to regard their child's weight as less of a concern than during the TEC period (UEC 67% vs. TEC 45%, p = 0.036). Children whose parent-reported data underestimated their weight category were more likely to be enrolled while the program did not have weight-related eligibility criteria OR = 2.27 (CI 1.38-3.70, p <  0.01). Program session attendance did not appear to be impacted by the changes in eligibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The omission of weight criteria for healthy lifestyle programs is a consideration for health professionals and decision-makers alike when encouraging the enrolment of children who are overweight into healthy lifestyle programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12617000315314 . Retrospectively registered 28 February 2017.