Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial
Summary Objective Harnessing social support from existing social ties represents a key weight control practice. This trial evaluated an intervention that provided health‐promoting technologies for leveraging the influence of existing social ties. Methods Volunteers (N = 36) with a body mass index be...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-08-01
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| Series: | Obesity Science & Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.352 |
| _version_ | 1818180476322447360 |
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| author | C. M. Monroe M. Geraci C. A. Larsen D. S. West |
| author_facet | C. M. Monroe M. Geraci C. A. Larsen D. S. West |
| author_sort | C. M. Monroe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary Objective Harnessing social support from existing social ties represents a key weight control practice. This trial evaluated an intervention that provided health‐promoting technologies for leveraging the influence of existing social ties. Methods Volunteers (N = 36) with a body mass index between 25 and 55 kg m−2 were randomized to a 16‐week, in‐person, technology‐supported behavioural weight‐loss treatment (standard behavioural treatment) or the same programme supplemented by providing self‐selected members of participants' social networks with a digital body‐weight scale and Fitbit Zip physical activity tracker (ENHANCED). Results Average weight losses from baseline to 16 weeks did not significantly differ between groups (standard behavioural treatment, 5.30%, SD =3.93%; ENHANCED, 5.96%, SD = 5.19%, p = 0.63). By the 1‐year follow‐up, standard behavioural treatment had lost 5.63%, SD = 8.14% of baseline weight versus 4.73%, SD = 9.43% for ENHANCED (p = 0.82). ENHANCED reported self‐weighing on more days than did standard behavioural treatment (p = 0.03). Most participants reported high programme satisfaction. Similar improvements were observed in perceived social support for diet and exercise from baseline to 16 weeks in both groups (ps < 0.05) but regressed by 1 year (ps < 0.01). Conclusion Although feasible to implement, this technology‐based, social support approach failed to enhance outcomes of a face‐to‐face, group‐based behavioural weight‐loss treatment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T21:20:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a2a05f22c4704386a72c422f7f0c593b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-2238 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T21:20:22Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Obesity Science & Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-a2a05f22c4704386a72c422f7f0c593b2022-12-22T00:50:28ZengWileyObesity Science & Practice2055-22382019-08-015435436510.1002/osp4.352Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trialC. M. Monroe0M. Geraci1C. A. Larsen2D. S. West3Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior University of South Carolina Columbia SC USAArnold School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of South Carolina Columbia SC USAArnold School of Public Health, Department of Exercise Science University of South Carolina Columbia SC USAArnold School of Public Health, Department of Exercise Science University of South Carolina Columbia SC USASummary Objective Harnessing social support from existing social ties represents a key weight control practice. This trial evaluated an intervention that provided health‐promoting technologies for leveraging the influence of existing social ties. Methods Volunteers (N = 36) with a body mass index between 25 and 55 kg m−2 were randomized to a 16‐week, in‐person, technology‐supported behavioural weight‐loss treatment (standard behavioural treatment) or the same programme supplemented by providing self‐selected members of participants' social networks with a digital body‐weight scale and Fitbit Zip physical activity tracker (ENHANCED). Results Average weight losses from baseline to 16 weeks did not significantly differ between groups (standard behavioural treatment, 5.30%, SD =3.93%; ENHANCED, 5.96%, SD = 5.19%, p = 0.63). By the 1‐year follow‐up, standard behavioural treatment had lost 5.63%, SD = 8.14% of baseline weight versus 4.73%, SD = 9.43% for ENHANCED (p = 0.82). ENHANCED reported self‐weighing on more days than did standard behavioural treatment (p = 0.03). Most participants reported high programme satisfaction. Similar improvements were observed in perceived social support for diet and exercise from baseline to 16 weeks in both groups (ps < 0.05) but regressed by 1 year (ps < 0.01). Conclusion Although feasible to implement, this technology‐based, social support approach failed to enhance outcomes of a face‐to‐face, group‐based behavioural weight‐loss treatment.https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.352eHealthmHealthsocial supportweight management |
| spellingShingle | C. M. Monroe M. Geraci C. A. Larsen D. S. West Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial Obesity Science & Practice eHealth mHealth social support weight management |
| title | Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology‐based approach to harness social networks for weight loss: the NETworks pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | feasibility and efficacy of a novel technology based approach to harness social networks for weight loss the networks pilot randomized controlled trial |
| topic | eHealth mHealth social support weight management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.352 |
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