Self-Weighing Instruction Feasibility Study

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Scant data have been reported on the effects of weight self-monitoring during weight control. The purpose of this pilot project was to consider the questions: Is it possible to assign participants to engage in daily weight self-monitoring, and are there differential effects on mood of daily versus weekly weighing?

Detailed Description
-----------------
This study tested the feasibility of assigning participants to daily or weekly weighing, monitored adherence to weighing instructions, and tracked additional behavioral and psychosocial indicators over a period of six months. It was hypothesized that there would be no differences in mood or adherence between daily versus weekly weighing conditions. Knowledge about the benefits of frequent self-weighing may shape public health recommendations for regular weighing as a weight reduction or obesity prevention strategy.

Official Title
-----------------
Self-Weighing Instruction Feasibility Study

Conditions
-----------------
Weight Loss, Body Weight

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: weighing frequency instructions and tips


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Body mass index between 25 and 35 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: Current weight loss program participation Chronic health conditions (diabetes, cancer, heart disease, psychiatric disorders requiring medication) Current or past eating disorder Current pregnancy or pregnant in past year

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 64 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Daily Weight Tracking<br>weighing frequency instructions and tips | Behavioral: weighing frequency instructions and tips<br>* Weekly emails with nutrition, physical activity, and weight tracking tips sent for 24 weeks<br>|
| Experimental: Weekly Weight Tracking<br>weighing frequency instructions and tips | Behavioral: weighing frequency instructions and tips<br>* Weekly emails with nutrition, physical activity, and weight tracking tips sent for 24 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adherence to Weight Tracking Instructions | Participants were assigned to daily or weekly weight tracking, and were asked to return postcards once a week with weights recorded (7 for daily, 1 for weekly). | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Depression Ratings | Ratings of depressed mood, assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, were obtained at baseline, three, and six months; the comparison of depression scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered as a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Scores on the inventory range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater presence of depressive symptoms. Scores from 0-10 represent normal mood; 11-16 = mild mood disturbance; 17-20 = borderline clinical depression; 21-30 = moderate depression; 31-40 = severe depression; > 40 = extreme depression. | baseline to 6 months | 
| Changes in Anxiety | Ratings of anxiety, assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory, were assessed at baseline, three, and six months; a comparison of anxiety scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. Possible scores on the scale range from 0-63. Scores from 0-7 indicate minimal anxiety; 8-15 = mild anxiety; 16-25 = moderate anxiety; 26-63 = severe anxiety. | baseline to 6 months | 
| Changes in Body Image | Changes in self-reported body image were assessed at baseline, three, and six months using the Appearance subscale of the Multidimensional Body Image Questionnaire. The subscale has a range of 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating better body image. A comparison of body image scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. | baseline to 6 months | 
| Changes in Barriers to Weight Tracking | Perceived barriers to self-weighing were assessed at baseline, three, and six months using a scale created for this study. The scale has a range of 18 to 90, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of barriers to self-weighing. A comparison of barriers scores between groups and over time from baseline to 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. | baseline to 6 months | 
| Changes in Perceptions of Weight Tracking | Perceptions of weight tracking (ease of remembering and understanding, usefulness, awareness, interest, reward value, satisfaction, motivational value) were assessed at three and six months using a scale created for the study. The scale has a range of 0 to 64, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of favorability of weight tracking. A comparison of perceptions scores between groups and over time from 3 and 6 months was considered a secondary outcome and analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. | three to six months | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
self monitoring, self weighing, weight tracking, psychosocial outcomes, feasibility