Why more successful? An analysis of participants' self-monitoring data in an online weight loss intervention.
BMC Public Health
; 24(1): 322, 2024 01 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38287333
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Self-monitoring is crucial for behavioral weight loss. However, few studies have examined the role of self-monitoring using mixed methods, which may hinder our understanding of its impact.METHODS:
This study examined self-monitoring data from 61 Chinese adults who participated in a 5-week online group intervention for weight loss. Participants reported their baseline Body Mass Index (BMI), weight loss motivation, and engaged in both daily quantitative self-monitoring (e.g., caloric intake, mood, sedentary behavior, etc.) and qualitative self-monitoring (e.g., daily log that summarizes the progress of weight loss). The timeliness of participants' daily self-monitoring data filling was assessed using a scoring rule. One-way repeated measurement ANOVA was employed to analyze the dynamics of each self-monitoring indicator. Correlation and regression analyses were used to reveal the relationship between baseline data, self-monitoring indicators, and weight change. Content analysis was utilized to analyze participants' qualitative self-monitoring data. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their weight loss outcomes, and a chi-square test was used to compare the frequency distribution between these groups.RESULTS:
After the intervention, participants achieved an average weight loss of 2.52 kg (SD = 1.36) and 3.99% (SD = 1.96%) of their initial weight. Daily caloric intake, weight loss satisfaction, frequency of daily log, and the speed of weight loss showed a downward trend, but daily sedentary time gradually increased. Moreover, regression analysis showed that baseline BMI, weight loss motivation, and timeliness of daily filling predicted final weight loss. Qualitative self-monitoring data analysis revealed four categories and nineteen subcategories. A significant difference in the frequency of qualitative data was observed, with the excellent group reporting a greater number of daily logs than expected in all categories and most subcategories, and the moderate and poor groups reporting less than expected in all categories and most subcategories.CONCLUSION:
The self-monitoring data in short-term online group intervention exhibited fluctuations. Participants with higher baseline BMI, higher levels of weight loss motivation, and timely self-monitoring achieved more weight loss. Participants who achieved greater weight loss reported a higher quantity of qualitative self-monitoring data. Practitioners should focus on enhancing dieters' weight loss motivation and promote adherence to self-monitoring practices.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Health Behavior
/
Weight Loss
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Public Health
Journal subject:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: