None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Individual weight management (WM), defined as engaging in behaviours to maintain or lose weight, can improve health. However, many factors influence WM outcomes (e.g., genetics, biology, stress, the environment). Consequently, WM can be hard. Many individuals struggle to lose weight and keep it off. The ups and downs of weight management can cause feelings of failure, guilt and shame. Self-compassion (SC), defined as treating oneself kindly in times of challenge, has shown promise in improving WM outcomes. The newly created 4-week 'SC for WM' (SC4WM) online intervention supports individuals with fostering a more self-compassionate approach to WM. The objectives of this study are two-fold: 1. To learn if WW™ + the SC4WM intervention can increase participant SC and improve WM outcomes (eating behaviour, physical activity, and body weight) compared to those engaging in a WM program (WW™ ) only. 2. To explore the interactions between SC and other psychological factors (e.g., perceived stress, coping) and WM outcomes. Two-hundred individuals seeking to lose weight will be randomly assigned into one of two groups, the WW™ program or the WW™ program with the SC4WM intervention. Participants will answer questionnaires online at baseline, 4-weeks, and a follow-up at 3-months to measure SC and evaluate WM outcomes. This study will test the efficacy of an SC4WM online intervention to determine if it effectively increases participant SC and improves WM outcomes compared to those using the commercial weight management program. If effective, the SC4WM may support health outcomes for those struggling to manage their weight.
Interventions
Self-compassion for Weight Management (SC4WM) intervention
The 4-week SC4WM intervention is delivered online through a mobile-friendly website. Participants in the intervention group will be asked to follow the digital WW™ program+ SC4WM program. Participants will need to use data or internet connectivity and an SC4WM access code to log into the website content.
The SC4WM intervention incorporates simple, evidence-based techniques (e.g., journaling, letter writing, reflections) to deliver a SC
Self-compassion for Weight Management (SC4WM) intervention The 4-week SC4WM intervention is delivered online through a mobile-friendly website. Participants in the intervention group will be asked to follow the digital WW™ program+ SC4WM program. Participants will need to use data or internet connectivity and an SC4WM access code to log into the website content. The SC4WM intervention incorporates simple, evidence-based techniques (e.g., journaling, letter writing, reflections) to deliver a SC intervention tailored to weight management outcomes (i.e, eating behaviour, physical activity, and weight monitoring). The SC4WM intervention landing page (website) provides an initial definition and background on SC and quick access to each module. The SC4WM has four weekly modules designed to specifically target participants' relationship with each weight management outcome, including SC for eating behaviour, SC for physical activity, and SC for body weight. Each module includes a journal, meditation, and reflection activity incorporating the principles of SC to eating behaviour, physical activity behaviour, and body weight. The activities can be completed in approximately 20-30 minutes. It is recommended that participants complete one module in sequence per week, with the last week focused on bringing all of the modules together and incorporating SC4WM into their entire weight management journey. Adherence to the SC4WM is measured by asking participants at 4 and 12-weeks how many modules they completed and how many days they engaged in the SC4WM activities. . Participants in the intervention group have access to the WW™ program for a total of 12-weeks (4-weeks with the SC4WM program and 8-weeks on their own until the 3 month follow-up). The WW™ program is an evidence-based widely available commercial weight management program that aims to support its members with developing healthier habits. The WW™ program uses the Smartpoints™ food tracking, which encourages healthier food choices by assigning point values to foods requiring moderation (e.g., higher fat and higher sugar foods). The WW™ program includes recommendations on exercising, fostering a positive mindset, and monitoring body weight with the objective of weight management. Participants in the intervention group are asked to follow the WW™ program as they like for 12-weeks. Adherence to the WW™ is self-reported by participants at 4 and 12-weeks (e.g., Over the last 4-weeks how many days did you use the WW™ app or WW™ online program?).
Sponsors
University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1) Aged greater than or equal to 18 years and 2) seeking to manage weight.
Exclusion criteria
1) Diagnosed eating disorder (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa) 2) pregnant or expecting to be pregnant in the next 12-weeks 3) prescribed medication for weight loss or newly prescribed a medication that may cause weight change 4) current WW™ members are excluded.
Outcome results
None listed