Effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention to prevent weight gain over the Christmas holiday period: randomised controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo test the effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention to prevent weight gain over the Christmas holiday period.DesignTwo group, double blinded randomised controlled trial.SettingRecruitment from workplaces, social media platforms, and schools pre-Christmas 2016 and 2017 in Birmingham, UK.Participants272 adults aged 18 years or more with a body mass index of 20 or more: 136 were randomised to a brief behavioural intervention and 136 to a leaflet on healthy living (comparator). Baseline assessments were conducted in November and December with follow-up assessments in January and February (4-8 weeks after baseline).InterventionsThe intervention aimed to increase restraint of eating and drinking through regular self weighing and recording of weight and reflection on weight trajectory; providing information on good weight management strategies over the Christmas period; and pictorial information on the physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) of regularly consumed festive foods and drinks. The goal was to gain no more than 0.5 kg of baseline weight. The comparator group received a leaflet on healthy living.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was weight at follow-up. The primary analysis compared weight at follow-up between the intervention and comparator arms, adjusting for baseline weight and the stratification variable of attendance at a commercial weight loss programme. Secondary outcomes (recorded at follow-up) were: weight gain of 0.5 kg or less, self reported frequency of self weighing (at least twice weekly versus less than twice weekly), percentage body fat, and cognitive restraint of eating, emotional eating, and uncontrolled eating.ResultsMean weight change was −0.13 kg (95% confidence interval −0.4 to 0.15) in the intervention group and 0.37 kg (0.12 to 0.62) in the comparator group. The adjusted mean difference in weight (intervention−comparator) was −0.49 kg (95% confidence interval −0.85 to −0.13, P=0.008). The odds ratio for gaining no more than 0.5 kg was non-significant (1.22, 95% confidence interval 0.74 to 2.00, P=0.44).ConclusionA brief behavioural intervention involving regular self weighing, weight management advice, and information about the amount of physical activity required to expend the calories in festive foods and drinks prevented weight gain over the Christmas holiday period.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN15071781.

Weekly, seasonal and holiday body weight fluctuation patterns among individuals engaged in a European multi-centre behavioural weight loss maintenance intervention

“…Interestingly, all groups remained at elevated body weights up to 2 months into the new year, suggesting that weight gained at Christmas is not fully compensated for in the subsequent period. Together, these results can inform potential targets for future weight control interventions, such as self-monitoring intervention around Christmas [49]. Seasonal patterns were less consistent and the most obvious pattern of weight gain in December and January is likely to be an outcome of the Christmas effect.…”

Mitigate the effects of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak

“…8 To make these educational materials truly effective, they must be ageappropriate and attractive. 8 To make these educational materials truly effective, they must be ageappropriate and attractive.…”

Change in eating pattern as a contributor to energy intake and weight gain during the winter holiday period in obese adults

“…In previous studies, six-weeks of the holiday period (Thanksgiving through New Year’s) is well documented as a critical time for weight gain in adults 2 – 9 . Although studies have implemented dietary 9 , 36 , 37 and physical activity 7 interventions to prevent weight increases, the actual cause of the holiday weight gain is controversial. Here, we are the first to quantify energy balance components using DLW to test our hypothesis that no change in TEE and a possible increase in energy intake will contribute to weight gain during the holiday period.…”