title: Weight-Related Goal Setting in a Telephone-Based Preventive Health-Coaching Program: Demonstration of Effectiveness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether participants in a 6-month telephone-based coaching program, who set physical activity, nutrition, and weight loss goals had better outcomes in these domains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Australian Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS), a free population-wide telephone health-coaching service that includes goal setting as a key component of its coaching program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consenting GHS coaching participants who had completed coaching between February 2009 and December 2012 (n = 4108).
  
  
  METHODS
  At baseline, participants select a goal for the coaching program, and sociodemographic variables are collected. Self-reported weight, height, waist circumference, physical activity, and nutrition-related behaviors are assessed at baseline and 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive analysis was performed on key sociodemographic variables, and the relationship between goal type and change in health outcomes was assessed using a series of linear mixed models that modeled change from baseline to 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants who set goals in relation to weight management and physical activity achieved better results in these areas than those who set alternate goals, losing more than those who set alternate goals (1.5 kg and 0.9 cm in waist circumference) and increasing walking per week (40 minutes), respectively. There was no difference in food-related outcomes for those that set nutrition-related goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Goal setting for weight management and increasing physical activity in the overweight and obese population, undertaken in a telephone-based coaching program, can be effective.
authors.affiliation: 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Blythe J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.affiliation: 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.affiliation: 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.affiliation: 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.affiliation: 2 Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hebden
authors.affiliation: 2 Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allman-Farinelli
authors.affiliation: 3 NSW Office of Preventive Health, NSW Ministry of Health, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.affiliation: 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Philayrath
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phongsavan
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013689:Telephone; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: goal settings; health coaching; nutrition; obesity; physical activity