OBJECTIVE:Between 31 and 35% of the college-aged population is overweight or obese, yet few weight loss trials for this population have been conducted. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology-based 8-week weight loss intervention among college students. DESIGN AND METHODS: Students (N = 52) were randomly assigned to one of the three arms: Facebook (n = 17); Facebook Plus text messaging and personalized feedback (n = 18); Waiting List control (n = 17), with assessments at 4 weeks and 8 weeks (post-treatment). Participants were 20.47 ± 2.19 years old, 86.45 ± 17.11 kg, with a body mass index of 31.36 ± 5.3 kg/m(2) . Participants were primarily female (86.5%), and the sample was racially diverse (57.7% Caucasian, 30.8% African American, 5.8% Hispanic, and 5.7% other races). RESULTS: The primary outcome was weight loss after 8 weeks (post-treatment); 96.0% of the participants completed this assessment. At 8 weeks, the Facebook Plus group had significantly greater weight loss (-2.4 ± 2.5 kg) than the Facebook (-0.63 ± 2.4 kg) and Waiting List (-0.24 ± 2.6 kg) (both Ps < 0.05). Weight change at 8 weeks was not significantly different between the Facebook and Waiting List groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results show preliminary efficacy and acceptability of the two active intervention arms (97.0% found the program helpful, 81.3% found the videos/handouts helpful, and 100% would recommend the program to others). Results indicate the potential for an innovative weight loss intervention that uses technology platforms (Facebook and text messaging) that are frequently used and already integrated into the cultural life of college students.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Between 31 and 35% of the college-aged population is overweight or obese, yet few weight loss trials for this population have been conducted. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology-based 8-week weight loss intervention among college students. DESIGN AND METHODS: Students (N = 52) were randomly assigned to one of the three arms: Facebook (n = 17); Facebook Plus text messaging and personalized feedback (n = 18); Waiting List control (n = 17), with assessments at 4 weeks and 8 weeks (post-treatment). Participants were 20.47 ± 2.19 years old, 86.45 ± 17.11 kg, with a body mass index of 31.36 ± 5.3 kg/m(2) . Participants were primarily female (86.5%), and the sample was racially diverse (57.7% Caucasian, 30.8% African American, 5.8% Hispanic, and 5.7% other races). RESULTS: The primary outcome was weight loss after 8 weeks (post-treatment); 96.0% of the participants completed this assessment. At 8 weeks, the Facebook Plus group had significantly greater weight loss (-2.4 ± 2.5 kg) than the Facebook (-0.63 ± 2.4 kg) and Waiting List (-0.24 ± 2.6 kg) (both Ps < 0.05). Weight change at 8 weeks was not significantly different between the Facebook and Waiting List groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results show preliminary efficacy and acceptability of the two active intervention arms (97.0% found the program helpful, 81.3% found the videos/handouts helpful, and 100% would recommend the program to others). Results indicate the potential for an innovative weight loss intervention that uses technology platforms (Facebook and text messaging) that are frequently used and already integrated into the cultural life of college students.
Authors: Sofia Ramalho; Pedro F Saint-Maurice; Diana Silva; Helena Ferreira Mansilha; Cátia Silva; Sónia Gonçalves; Paulo Machado; Eva Conceição Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2018-12-05 Impact factor: 4.652
Authors: Julie B Wang; Lisa A Cadmus-Bertram; Loki Natarajan; Martha M White; Hala Madanat; Jeanne F Nichols; Guadalupe X Ayala; John P Pierce Journal: Telemed J E Health Date: 2015-06-02 Impact factor: 3.536
Authors: Lora E Burke; Jun Ma; Kristen M J Azar; Gary G Bennett; Eric D Peterson; Yaguang Zheng; William Riley; Janna Stephens; Svati H Shah; Brian Suffoletto; Tanya N Turan; Bonnie Spring; Julia Steinberger; Charlene C Quinn Journal: Circulation Date: 2015-08-13 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Niharika N Bhardwaj; Bezawit Wodajo; Keerthi Gochipathala; David P Paul; Alberto Coustasse Journal: Perspect Health Inf Manag Date: 2017-04-01
Authors: Sarah E Linke; Britta A Larsen; Becky Marquez; Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez; Bess H Marcus Journal: Prog Cardiovasc Dis Date: 2016-03-06 Impact factor: 8.194