title: Physical activity enhancement to a behavioral weight loss program for severely obese individuals: A preliminary investigation.
abstract: Severe obesity is characterized by low physical activity (PA) and interventions to enhance PA are needed. Participants (45.0 ± 3.9 kg/m2) were randomized to a 6-month standard behavioral weight loss program (SBWL;n= 14) or SBWL+technology (SBWL+TECH;n= 15). Both groups received identical SBWL treatment and SBWL+TECH also received a wearable PA monitor, providing "real-time" feedback, and website access to monitor energy balance. 6-month retention was similar between groups (SBWL: 12/13 versus SBWL+TECH: 11/14 completers;P= 0.19) and adherence to wearing the armband was excellent (91.3% of days). Although differences in PA between groups did not meet conventional thresholds of significance, SBWL+TECH increased their moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA by 132.9±216.8 min/week, which was 3 times greater than SBWL (44.8±124.3 min/week;P= 0.27; Cohen'sd= 0.50). There was a trend for SBWL+TECH to self-monitor for a greater proportion of days compared to SBWL (86.2±21.4% versus 71.5±19.4%;P= 0.098; Cohen'sd= 0.72). The difference in weight loss between groups was modest (SBWL+TECH: -10.0 ± 7.1% versus SBWL: -7.8 ± 6.7%;P= 0.46). These preliminary findings suggest that PA monitors may be one strategy for increasing PA among the severely obese. Larger, long-term trials are needed.
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Unick
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Dale S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Rena R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wing
keywords: Obesity; intervention; physical activity; weight loss