title: Psychosocial enhancement of the Green Prescription for obesity recovery: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kia Ākina is a low-cost obesity recovery network providing ongoing addiction-orientated psychosocial support. This study explored the impact of Kia Ākina when added to the Green Prescription, a key government-funded health promotion programme in New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12613001160729) involving 108 participants recruited from primary care compared Green Prescription plus Kia Ākina (KA/GRx) with Green Prescription alone (GRx) over 12 months. The primary a priori outcome measure was achieving 5% loss of weight from baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KA/GRx participants lost more weight overall than GRx (3.6kg vs 0.7kg, p=0.03), while 39% of the GRx group gained weight compared with 21% of KA/GRx (p=0.04). However, KA/GRx and GRx had similar proportions with weight loss of 5% or greater (20% vs 17%, p=0.62). KA/GRx participants had greater changes in confidence about recovery (p=0.02), and quality of life measures (p=0.03) and greater overall satisfaction with assistance received (p<0.001) compared with GRx participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychosocial support provided through Kia Ākina enhanced treatment outcomes for people with obesity at 12 months when added to GRx, although weight-loss outcomes were modest. Before Kia Ākina is expanded, improved weight-loss outcomes are required, which may be achieved through individualised assessment and targeted dietary assistance.
authors.affiliation: National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sellman
authors.affiliation: National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schroder
authors.affiliation: National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Daryle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deering
authors.affiliation: National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elmslie
authors.affiliation: National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foulds
authors.affiliation: National Addiction Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frampton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011788:Quality of Life; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult