A gender-sensitised weight-loss and healthy living program for men with overweight and obesity in Australian Football League settings (Aussie-FIT): A pilot randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background Recent evidence shows that sport settings can act as a powerful draw to engage men in weight loss. The primary objective of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of delivering and to evaluate preliminary efficacy of Aussie-FIT, a weight-loss program for men with overweight/obesity delivered in Australian Football League (AFL) settings, in preparation for a future definitive trial. Methods and findings This 6-month pilot trial took place in Perth, Australia. Participants were overweight/obese (Body Mass Index [BMI] � 28 kg/m 2), middle-aged (35-65 years old) men. Participants were recruited in May 2018, and the intervention took place between June and December 2018. The intervention involved 12 weekly 90-min face-to-face sessions, incorporating physical activity, nutrition, and behaviour change information and practical activities delivered by coaches at 2 clubs. Data were collected at baseline and immediately postintervention. For trial feasibility purposes, 6-month follow-ups were completed. Outcomes were differences in weight loss (primary outcome) and recruitment and retention rates, self-PLOS MEDICINE

Team members influence retention in a First Peoples’ community-based weight-loss program

“…High retention rates (84.2–91.2%) have been demonstrated previously in interventions with positive health outcomes which targeted Aboriginal Australian men ( Egger et al, 1999 , Mendham et al, 2015 ). Recently another sport-based healthy lifestyle program for males has been trialed in Australia, capitalizing on bonding through shared team appreciation to deliver effective healthy lifestyle programs involving PA ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ). The program had high retention (86% at 12 weeks) and participants lost on average 3.41% body weight ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Recently another sport-based healthy lifestyle program for males has been trialed in Australia, capitalizing on bonding through shared team appreciation to deliver effective healthy lifestyle programs involving PA ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ). The program had high retention (86% at 12 weeks) and participants lost on average 3.41% body weight ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ). Although no participants in the football-based program were Aboriginal Australians ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ), Aboriginal Australian men also benefit from peer support and camaraderie through sports participation ( Thorpe et al, 2014 ).…”

“…The program had high retention (86% at 12 weeks) and participants lost on average 3.41% body weight ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ). Although no participants in the football-based program were Aboriginal Australians ( Kwasnicka et al, 2020 ), Aboriginal Australian men also benefit from peer support and camaraderie through sports participation ( Thorpe et al, 2014 ). Despite having an organizational partner in the state rugby league, which is traditionally popular in the Aboriginal community, the KHC retention rates for male KHC participants were suboptimal.…”

Factors Influencing Men’s Experiences and Engagement with the Rugby Fans in Training—New Zealand Pilot Trial: A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Men

“…Arguably the most rigorously evaluated of these was the Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme, a 12-week gender-sensitised weight management intervention for overweight men aged between 35 and 65 years delivered through Scottish Premier League football clubs [ 10 ]. Adaptations of FFIT have since been delivered through European football [ 11 ], Canadian Ice Hockey [ 8 , 12 ], Australian Rules Football [ 13 ], and UK Rugby Union [ 6 ]. These programmes were underpinned by key theory based behaviour change techniques shown to be effective in improving physical activity and healthy eating [ 14 ].…”

“…These programmes were underpinned by key theory based behaviour change techniques shown to be effective in improving physical activity and healthy eating [ 14 ]. These programmes have demonstrated significant short- [ 6 , 8 , 13 , 15 ] and longer-term [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 16 ] changes in health outcomes (e.g., weight loss, improved blood pressure) and lifestyle behaviour change (e.g., eating more fruit and vegetables, increased physical activity). Less information has been provided about why these programmes were effective in changing behaviour.…”