BACKGROUND: Statistical mediation analysis can be used to improve the design of @entity28 prevention and treatment programs by identifying the possible mechanisms through which an intervention achieved its effects. The aim of this study was to identify mediators of @entity353 in an Internet-based weight-loss program specifically designed for overweight @entity1 . METHODS: The Self-Help, Exercise and Diet using Information Technology (SHED-IT) program was a 3-month randomized controlled trial (Internet-based intervention group vs information only control group) that was implemented in 2007 with baseline and 6-month follow-up assessment of weight, physical activity and dietary behaviors. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol mediation analyses were conducted using a product-of-coefficients test. RESULTS: @entity1 (N = 65) were overweight and @entity28 male academic (n = 10) and non-academic (n = 27) staff and students (n = 28) from the University of Newcastle, Australia. Mean (SD) age = 35.9 (11.1) years and mean (SD) BMI = 30.6 (2.8). In the intention-to-treat analysis, both groups lost weight, but relative to the control group, the intervention did not have a statistically significant 'total effect' on weight, tau = -.507, p = .716 (95% CI = -3.277 to 2.263). In the per-protocol analysis, the intervention had a statistically significant 'total effect' on weight, tau = -4.487, p < .05 (95% CI = -8.208 to -.765). The intervention did not have a statistically significant effect on any of the hypothesized mediators and none of the behavioral variables mediated @entity353 in the SHED-IT program. Although @entity1 in the intervention group reduced their fat intake over the study period, the changes did not satisfy the criteria for mediation. CONCLUSION: Few studies have examined the mediators of @entity353 in @entity28 treatment interventions. While none of the hypothesized mediators satisfied the criteria for mediation in the current study, there was some evidence to suggest that overweight @entity1 in the SHED-IT intervention reduced their fat intake over the study period. Future @entity28 treatment and prevention programs should explore behavioral mediators of @entity353 using appropriate statistical methods. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ANZCTRN12607000481471.

Exploring the mechanisms of @entity353 in the SHED-IT intervention for overweight XXXX : a mediation analysis.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'Participants', 'men'] @entity353 :: ('MESH:D015431', 'Disease') :: ['weight loss'] @entity28 :: ('MESH:D009765', 'Disease') :: ['obese', 'obesity']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['men']
