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Hindi Research Article
Weight Loss and Attrition in Overweight and Obese Young Women During a 36- Week Internet-Based Lifestyle Intervention
| Lim SS1,2*, Norman RJ3, Clifton PM1 and Noakes M1 | |
| 1CSIRO Human Nutrition, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia | |
| 2Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, Flinders University and Deakin University, Hamilton, Australia | |
| 3The Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia | |
| Corresponding Author : | Lim SS, Ph.D Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health Flinders University and Deakin University PO Box 283, Hamilton, 3300, VIC, Australia Tel: 613-55518434 Fax: 613-55633144 E-mail: siew.lim@flinders.edu.au |
| Received July 14, 2014; Accepted October 27, 2014; Published October 30, 2014 | |
| Citation: Lim SS, Norman RJ, Clifton PM, Noakes M (2014) Weight Loss and Attrition in Overweight and Obese Young Women During a 36- Week Internet-Based Lifestyle Intervention. J Obes Weight Loss Ther 4:235. doi:10.4172/2165-7904.1000235 | |
| Copyright: © 2014 Lim SS, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | |
Abstract
Background: Young women are at high risk of weight gain yet few studies have examined the long-term effectiveness of weight loss programs in this group. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a self-directed internet-based lifestyle program on body weight in young women. Methods: Overweight or obese young women (BMI 33.4 ± 0.3 kg/m2, age 27.8 ± 0.3 years) were initially randomized to General lifestyle advice (G) or Structured lifestyle advice (S) via in-person and website support for 12 weeks (Phase I). After Phase I, all participants were supported through a self-directed internet-based program for 36 weeks (Phase II). The internet-based program included a structured hypocaloric diet, physical activity program, selfmonitoring tools, peer group forum and monthly emails. Body weight, energy intake and physical activity were measured at week 0, week 12, week 24 and week 48. Adherence to self-regulatory behaviors was measured at week 48. Mixed model analyses were conducted to determine changes in body weight, energy intake and physical activity. Results: A total of 203 overweight or obese young women commenced Phase I and 130 commenced Phase II. In Phase I, S group had significantly greater weight loss than G group (4.2 ± 0.6 kg vs 0.6 ± 0.3 kg, P<0.001). In Phase II, both groups had significant weight loss over time without significant group differences (-0.8 ± 1.1kg vs -0.8 ± 0.6, P>0.05). Forty-one percent (53/130) of the participants who commenced Phase II completed the internet-based intervention. Dropouts had a higher baseline BMI, were more likely to be married or in a de facto relationship, and more likely to have at least one child. Conclusions: A self-directed internet-based program could be effective in providing support in maintaining weight loss on a structured lifestyle program in young women over 36 weeks. Further research is required to maintain engagement in young women who were married/in a de facto relationship or have children.
