Analysis of the efficacy of an internet-based self-administered intervention (“Living Better”) to promote healthy habits in a population with obesity and hypertension: An exploratory randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in unhealthy lifestyles are key elements in the prevention and treatment of obesity and hypertension. Internet-based programs offer great potential for the implementation of evidence-based interventions focused on promoting healthy habits. We evaluate the efficacy of an Internet-based self-administered program ("Living Better") that addresses people diagnosed as being overweight or having type I obesity and hypertension. Methods: The sample was composed of a total of 106 participants (age Mean = 53; 59 males) from a public hospital in Spain, diagnosed as being overweight or having type I obesity and hypertension and randomized into two groups-the intervention group (IG; Internet-based intervention) and the control group (CG; usual medical treatment). The intervention used cognitive-behavioral strategies and psychoeducation to promote healthy habits. Anthropometric data (i.e., Body Mass Index-BMI-, waist circumference, and hip circumference) and lifestyle/psychological data (i.e., quality of life, physical activity, eating styles, motivation, mood, and self-efficacy) were assessed before and after the intervention, and at 6 and 12-month follow-ups. Results: Significant differences were observed between the IG and the CG in anthropometrical variables after intervention (i.e., BMI and waist circumference), external eating style, and anxiety and stress scores (p < 0.05). Follow-up data showed that changes were maintained in BMI, waist and hip circumference, and external eating in the IG. After receiving the Internet-based treatment, the CG also improved its clinical condition. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the Internet is a viable alternative for the delivery and dissemination of interventions focused on promoting healthy habits, and a totally self-administered intervention can produce long-term positive results. 1. Introduction Lifestyles are one of the most important determinants of health. Sedentary behaviors, consumption of fatty foods, fast food, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, stress, among other factors, are currently the most important causes of mortality and illness [1-3].

Analysis of the Impact of the Confinement Resulting from COVID-19 on the Lifestyle and Psychological Wellbeing of Spanish Pregnant Women: An Internet-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

“…The results in this study regarding lifestyle, as well as the perceived obstacles to engaging in exercise and preparing for childbirth during the COVID-19 confinement in Spain, suggest that specific online programs should be developed in order to promote healthy lifestyle habits and improve the HRQoL of pregnant women who may find themselves in similar circumstances in the future. In other population groups, such as obese patients, it has already been shown that the efficacy of these types of internet-based interventions is similar to that of traditional interventions [ 71 , 72 , 73 ]. The fact that online interventions can be self-administered and reach a broad audience because they are easy to access and have an excellent cost-benefit ratio [ 74 ] makes them an attractive tool for development and use in future situations.…”

Effectiveness of universal multiple-risk lifestyle interventions in reducing depressive symptoms: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A total of 7558 patients were included across 23 RCTs (see Table 1 for study characteristics). Fifteen RCTs included patients with or at high risk of cardiac diseases (Allison et al, 2000;Brotons et al, 2011;Pfaeffli Dale et al, 2015;Duan et al, 2018;Hofman-Bang, 1999;Jørstad et al, 2016;Lisspers et al, 1999;Shariful Islam et al, 2019) or diabetes (Siddiqui et al, 2019;Azami et al, 2018;Davies et al, 2016;Moore et al, 2011;Ruusunen et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2014;Rosal et al, 2005) or both (Gallagher et al, 2014), three included obese pregnant women (Poston et al, 2013;Molyneaux et al, 2018;Bogaerts et al, 2013) and one postpartum women (Surkan et al, 2012), one obese and hypertensive patients (Mensorio et al, 2019), one university students (Duan et al, 2017), one breast cancer survivors (Kim et al, 2011), and one studied employees and spouses (Milani and Lavie, 2009). Available percentages of depressive patients at baseline ranged from 13.2% to 66.7%.…”

Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids UK, a weight management programme for fathers: feasibility RCT

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