Step-down approach to behavioural weight loss treatment: a pilot of a randomised clinical trial |
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Authors: | Robert A Carels Debra A Hoffmann Nova Hinman Jacob M Burmeister Afton Koball Lisham Ashrafioun |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA.rcarels@bgsu.edu;3. Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA. |
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Abstract: | Background: In a stepped-down approach, patients begin with a more intensive treatment and are stepped down to a less intensive treatment based on achieving treatment goals. This study compared a standard behavioural weight loss programme (BWLP) to a stepped-down approach to treatment.Methods: Fifty-two overweight/obese adults (Age: M?=?47?years, SD?=?13.5; female?=?67%) participated in an 18-week BWLP. Half of them were randomly assigned to be stepped down from weekly group meetings based on completion of weight loss goals (3%) every 6?weeks, while the other half remained in their groups regardless of weight loss.Results: There was a significant difference favouring the BWLP in the proportion of participants who met or exceeded their 3% weight loss goal during the first six weeks. While not statistically significant by the end of treatment, the BWLP participants lost nearly 3% more body weight than stepped-down participants (SC?=?4.9% vs. BWLP?=?7.8%; p?=?.10). Greater self-monitoring was associated with increased likelihood of stepped-care eligibility and higher percent weight loss at the end of treatment (p?<?.01).Conclusion: There was little evidence to support the efficacy of the stepped-down approach for behavioural weight loss treatment employed in this investigation. |
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Keywords: | stepped-care weight loss obesity |
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