Psychology
2016
Increased attendance at group-based behaviour-change sessions delivered via an eHealth platform is associated with greater weight loss in individuals following a very low calorie diet (VLCD).
Johnston KL, Brown C, Dyson L, Cox JSA, Hewlett B (2016). Poster presented at the 13th International Congress on Obesity. Obesity Reviews, 17(suppl 2):157.
There is increasing interest in self-directed weight-loss interventions, delivered through various formats using a variety of tools, in order to support users to modify and/or regulate weight-related behaviour patterns. Self-directed interventions are likely to be most effective when they empower participants to control and regulate their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, thereby changing psychological and environmental prompts to weight-gain behaviours. LL2U is a weight-loss programme which utilises an eHealth platform whereby delivery of the programme (food-replacement VLCD and group support) is facilitated via online and phone-based technology. This retrospective study indicates that weekly engagement with the LL2U eHealth-based weight-loss programme is associated with greater weight loss and appears to be independent of the number of VLCD food-replacements consumed. The behavioural-modification support facilitated by group attendance throughout the LighterLife weight-loss programme may be an important factor.
Link to pdf 2016 Johnston 1
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An assessment of factors associated with the rate of attrition from a commercial very low calorie diet (VLCD)-based weight loss programme.
Johnston KL, Sheikh H, Hart K (2016). Poster presented at the 13th International Congress on Obesity. Obesity Reviews, 17(suppl 2):169-170.
VLCDs induce substantial initial weight loss and a recent meta-analysis has shown that continued use of formula-based products is associated with improved weight-maintenance after the VLCD period. However, there is a lack of data with regards to attrition by those self-referred onto commercial VLCDs. This study investigated associations between the personal/lifestyle characteristics and attitudes about the programme of self-referred individuals and the length of time they spent on the LighterLife Programme, which combines a VLCD with group support for behavioural-change led by a trained counsellor. Clients who spent >8 weeks on the programme reported less hunger and fewer thoughts about food than those who spent <8 weeks on the programme. The results indicated that a positive client-counsellor relationship and reduced hunger, whether actual or perceived, might promote adherence to a VLCD.
2015
No difference in weight loss achieved following a VLCD in conjunction with telephone-based group support compared with a VLCD in conjunction with face-to-face support
Johnston KL, Clarizio CA, Dyson L, Cox J, Hewlett B (2015). Poster presented at the 22nd European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 8(suppl 1):183.
The number of effective weight-loss programmes that are readily accessible for society’s increasingly obese population is a growing problem. Individuals who become isolated due to health difficulties and those who are unable/choose not to access face-to-face support are a cause for concern. LighterLife utilises a tripartite approach consisting of formula-based foods for weight loss in conjunction with behaviour-change therapy underpinned by face-to-face group support for longer term maintenance, and LL2U is a pilot weight-loss programme in which the behaviour-change therapy and group support is facilitated via a telephone-based group session. The results of this study showed that after 8 weeks on the LighterLife VLCD with behaviour-change therapy delivered either in a telephone-based support group or a face-to-face support group there was no significant difference in either total weight loss or week-on-week weight loss for 2 groups of 17 age/BMI-matched obese individuals. While successful weight maintenance is complex and multi-factorial, behaviour-change therapy via telephone may provide the support required.
Characteristics of successful weight loss maintainers after very low calorie diet-induced weight loss.
Hart K, Jones C, Johnston KL. (2015). Poster presented at the 22nd European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 8(suppl 1):87.
‘Greater weight-loss maintenance was associated with less external and emotional eating but greater dietary restraint. Maintenance of weight loss post-VLCD may be facilitated by a range of strategies, most importantly continued group support.’
https://doi.org/10.1159/000382140
link through to pdf 2015 ECO Hart (supplied on email)
2014
Increased attendance at LighterLife management groups is associated with improved weight maintenance success 1 year after completing a VLCD weight loss programme.
Johnston KL, Rolland C, Haynes S, Dyson L, Capehorn M, Broom J, Cox JSA, Hewlett B (2014). Poster presented at the 21st European Congress on Obesity. Obesity Facts, 7(suppl 1):92.
‘An inverse relationship between the number of groups attended and the amount of weight regained one year post-weight loss following a VLCD was observed. These results indicate that individuals who regularly attended weight-management groups were more likely to sustain their weight loss. The behavioural-modification work facilitated throughout LighterLife’s weight-management programme may be an important factor in weight-maintenance success.’
Link through to pdf 2014 ECO
2011
Is psychology more important than environment in over-consuming behaviours? An interim report.
Cassidy M et al (2011). Obesity Reviews. Poster presented at 18th European Congress on Obesity, Istanbul, 2011.
‘The most common over-consuming situation was being alone (“withdrawal” in the transactional analysis time-structuring model). This supports the theory that patients are overeating to meet an emotional need when alone, rather than to address physical hunger. Such over-consuming may be impulsive or planned. Further study may point to a distinction between those patients who overeat due to poor impulse control and those who overeat in a more planned manner. This highlights the need for programmes, such as the LighterLife behavioural-change programme, that enable patients to identify emotional needs and lead to appropriate behaviour change.’
2011 ECO page 8
4-week vs 12-week closed group approach in the treatment of obesity with the LighterLife Total VLCD achieved greater weight loss, contrary to group-dynamics theories.
Cassidy M et al (2011). Obesity Reviews. Poster presented at 18th European Congress on Obesity, Istanbul, 2011.
‘A shorter closed-group structure, with new patients joining the groups at 4-weekly intervals, achieved superior weight loss than the 12-week closed groups. This might be due to a positive effect on group development, whereby established members of the group mentor new starters and feel valued for their experience; new starters in turn might be motivated by these patients, who have been participating for a relatively short period of time but have achieved significant weight loss and have already made major behavioural changes.’
2011 ECO page 9
2007
What motivates men to lose weight?
Holt J et al (2007). International Journal of Obesity, May, 31(S1):169. Poster presented at 15th European Congress on Obesity, Budapest, April 2007.
‘…The main motivations for weight loss are health related, though some men may fail to recognise that they need to lose weight and that their own weight may be threatening their health. A straightforward approach and method, rapid, attainable results and support provided by group and counsellors are important factors to attract men to a weight-loss programme. A high proportion of men see willpower as a barrier to weight loss and therefore need encouragement and confidence in their own ability to overcome this.’
2007 ECO page 1
