Body Weight, Weight Loss
Conditions
Keywords
self monitoring, self weighing, weight tracking, psychosocial outcomes, feasibility
Brief summary
Scant data have been reported on the effects of weight self-monitoring during weight control. The purpose of this pilot project was to consider the questions: Is it possible to assign participants to engage in daily weight self-monitoring, and are there differential effects on mood of daily versus weekly weighing?
Detailed description
This study tested the feasibility of assigning participants to daily or weekly weighing, monitored adherence to weighing instructions, and tracked additional behavioral and psychosocial indicators over a period of six months. It was hypothesized that there would be no differences in mood or adherence between daily versus weekly weighing conditions. Knowledge about the benefits of frequent self-weighing may shape public health recommendations for regular weighing as a weight reduction or obesity prevention strategy.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALweighing frequency instructions and tips
Weekly emails with nutrition, physical activity, and weight tracking tips sent for 24 weeks
Sponsors
University of Minnesota
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Body mass index between 25 and 35 kg/m2
Exclusion criteria
* Current weight loss program participation * Chronic health conditions (diabetes, cancer, heart disease, psychiatric disorders requiring medication) * Current or past eating disorder * Current pregnancy or pregnant in past year
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adherence to Weight Tracking Instructions | 6 months | Participants were assigned to daily or weekly weight tracking, and were asked to return postcards once a week with weights recorded (7 for daily, 1 for weekly). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Depression Ratings | baseline to 6 months | Ratings of depressed mood, assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, were obtained at baseline, three, and six months; the comparison of depression scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered as a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Scores on the inventory range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater presence of depressive symptoms. Scores from 0-10 represent normal mood; 11-16 = mild mood disturbance; 17-20 = borderline clinical depression; 21-30 = moderate depression; 31-40 = severe depression; \> 40 = extreme depression. |
| Changes in Anxiety | baseline to 6 months | Ratings of anxiety, assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory, were assessed at baseline, three, and six months; a comparison of anxiety scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. Possible scores on the scale range from 0-63. Scores from 0-7 indicate minimal anxiety; 8-15 = mild anxiety; 16-25 = moderate anxiety; 26-63 = severe anxiety. |
| Changes in Body Image | baseline to 6 months | Changes in self-reported body image were assessed at baseline, three, and six months using the Appearance subscale of the Multidimensional Body Image Questionnaire. The subscale has a range of 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating better body image. A comparison of body image scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. |
| Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | baseline to 6 months | Perceived barriers to self-weighing were assessed at baseline, three, and six months using a scale created for this study. The scale has a range of 18 to 90, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of barriers to self-weighing. A comparison of barriers scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. |
| Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking | three to six months | Perceptions of weight tracking (ease of remembering and understanding, usefulness, awareness, interest, reward value, satisfaction, motivational value) were assessed at three and six months using a scale created for the study. The scale has a range of 0 to 64, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of favorability of weight tracking. A comparison of perceptions scores between groups and over time from 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Recruitment details
Participants recruited in Sept-Oct 2009 from craigslist.com ads and flyers in a University of Minnesota office building. 58 contacted the study and 28 were excluded \[did not complete screening (n=10), not eligible due to weight or health exclusions (n=15), or withdrew before consent (n=3)\], resulting in a final sample of 30 participants.
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking daily weighing frequency instructions and tips | 15 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking weekly weighing frequency instructions and tips | 15 |
| Total | 30 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Daily Weight Tracking | Weekly Weight Tracking | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Categorical <=18 years | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Age, Categorical >=65 years | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Age, Categorical Between 18 and 65 years | 15 Participants | 15 Participants | 30 Participants |
| Age, Continuous | 45.0 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.5 | 46.4 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.8 | 45.7 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.7 |
| Body Mass Index | 30.99 kg/m^2 STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.97 | 31.08 kg/m^2 STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.37 | 31.04 kg/m^2 STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.12 |
| Region of Enrollment United States | 15 participants | 15 participants | 30 participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 10 Participants | 11 Participants | 21 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 5 Participants | 4 Participants | 9 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | — / — | — / — |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 15 | 0 / 15 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 15 | 0 / 15 |
Outcome results
Primary
Adherence to Weight Tracking Instructions
Participants were assigned to daily or weekly weight tracking, and were asked to return postcards once a week with weights recorded (7 for daily, 1 for weekly).
Time frame: 6 months
Population: All participants were included in the analysis.
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking | Adherence to Weight Tracking Instructions | 98.3 percentage of postcards returned |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Adherence to Weight Tracking Instructions | 96.7 percentage of postcards returned |
p-value: 0.15Chi-squared
Secondary
Changes in Anxiety
Ratings of anxiety, assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory, were assessed at baseline, three, and six months; a comparison of anxiety scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. Possible scores on the scale range from 0-63. Scores from 0-7 indicate minimal anxiety; 8-15 = mild anxiety; 16-25 = moderate anxiety; 26-63 = severe anxiety.
Time frame: baseline to 6 months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Anxiety | baseline anxiety | 2.3 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 2.9 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Anxiety | 3-month anxiety | 2.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 3.5 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Anxiety | 6-month anxiety | 3.9 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 6 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Anxiety | baseline anxiety | 5.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 5 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Anxiety | 3-month anxiety | 5.8 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 4.5 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Anxiety | 6-month anxiety | 5.3 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 4.6 |
Comparison: Repeated measures analysis from baseline to six months.p-value: 0.5MANOVA
Secondary
Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking
Perceived barriers to self-weighing were assessed at baseline, three, and six months using a scale created for this study. The scale has a range of 18 to 90, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of barriers to self-weighing. A comparison of barriers scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA.
Time frame: baseline to 6 months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | 3-month barriers | 27.5 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 9 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | 6-month barriers | 30.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 12.9 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | baseline barriers | 39.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 13.1 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | baseline barriers | 46.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 14.7 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | 3-month barriers | 37.3 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 9.5 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | 6-month barriers | 34.3 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 12.4 |
Comparison: Repeated measures analysis from baseline to six months.p-value: 0.3MANOVA
Secondary
Changes in Body Image
Changes in self-reported body image were assessed at baseline, three, and six months using the Appearance subscale of the Multidimensional Body Image Questionnaire. The subscale has a range of 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating better body image. A comparison of body image scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA.
Time frame: baseline to 6 months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Body Image | baseline body image | 20.1 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 7 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Body Image | 3-month body image | 22.6 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 4.9 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Body Image | 6-month body image | 21.4 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 5.9 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Body Image | baseline body image | 19.1 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 8 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Body Image | 3-month body image | 17.9 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 8.6 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Body Image | 6-month body image | 18.5 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 8.7 |
Comparison: Repeated measures analysis from baseline to six months.p-value: 0.15MANOVA
Secondary
Changes in Depression Ratings
Ratings of depressed mood, assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, were obtained at baseline, three, and six months; the comparison of depression scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered as a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Scores on the inventory range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater presence of depressive symptoms. Scores from 0-10 represent normal mood; 11-16 = mild mood disturbance; 17-20 = borderline clinical depression; 21-30 = moderate depression; 31-40 = severe depression; \> 40 = extreme depression.
Time frame: baseline to 6 months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Depression Ratings | 3-month depression | 3.9 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 4.4 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Depression Ratings | 6-month depression | 4.8 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 5.6 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Depression Ratings | baseline depression | 3.6 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 3.5 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Depression Ratings | 3-month depression | 7.1 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 4.1 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Depression Ratings | baseline depression | 6.3 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 4.4 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Depression Ratings | 6-month depression | 6.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 6.1 |
Comparison: Repeated measures analysis from baseline to six months.p-value: 0.61MANOVA
Secondary
Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking
Perceptions of weight tracking (ease of remembering and understanding, usefulness, awareness, interest, reward value, satisfaction, motivational value) were assessed at three and six months using a scale created for the study. The scale has a range of 0 to 64, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of favorability of weight tracking. A comparison of perceptions scores between groups and over time from 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA.
Time frame: three to six months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking | 6-month perceptions | 48.2 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 10 |
| Daily Weight Tracking | Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking | 3-month perceptions | 47.7 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 10.6 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking | 3-month perceptions | 40.4 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 10.2 |
| Weekly Weight Tracking | Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking | 6-month perceptions | 45.0 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 7.7 |
Comparison: Repeated measures analysis from three to six months.p-value: 0.17MANOVA