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Examination of whether early weight loss predicts 1-year weight loss among those enrolled in an Internet-based weight loss program

International Journal of Obesity volume 39, pages 1558–1560 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

One-month weight loss (WL) predicts posttreatment WL in face-to-face interventions; however, whether this holds true within Internet programs is unknown. This study examined whether 4-week WL predicts WL following a 12-week Internet program and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. A total of 181 participants (body mass index=33.4±5.5 kg m−2; 83.1% female) received a 12-week behavior-based Internet WL program consisting of weekly video lessons. Participants were given a daily WL, calorie and physical-activity goal and asked to enter these data on the study website weekly. Personalized feedback was provided. Using 4-week WL, individuals were categorized as ‘early nonresponders’ (<2.0% WL) or ‘early responders’ (⩾2.0% WL). Early nonresponders had significantly lower WL than early responders at 3 (−1.3±3.8% vs −6.3±4.3%), 6 (−1.7±5.1% vs −5.8±5.2%) and 12 months (−0.05±6.8% vs −2.7±6.3%, P<0.05). The odds of achieving a ⩾5% WL were 8.5 (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.3–22.1), 3.4 (95% CI, 1.4–8.3) and 2.6 (95% CI, 0.93–7.4) times lower in early nonresponders, compared with early responders at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Compared with early responders, early nonresponders viewed fewer video lessons and self-monitored less often across the 12-week intervention (P<0.05). This study provides initial evidence that a 4-week WL of <2.0% places an individual at an increased risk of failing to achieve clinically significant WL following an Internet program.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Katie Krupel and Mona Xu of the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center for all of their efforts on this study. We also recognize the contributors from Shape Up Rhode Island: Rajiv Kumar, Brad Weinberg, Robert Vitek and Jenna Lafayette. This study was supported by grant DK083248 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease.

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  1. Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA

    J L Unick, T Leahey, K Kent & R R Wing

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  1. J L Unick
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  2. T Leahey
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  4. R R Wing
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Correspondence to J L Unick.

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Unick, J., Leahey, T., Kent, K. et al. Examination of whether early weight loss predicts 1-year weight loss among those enrolled in an Internet-based weight loss program. Int J Obes 39, 1558–1560 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2015.89

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