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Efficacy of a weight-loss website based on positive deviance. A randomized trial
Jennifer L Kraschnewski1, Heather L Stuckey, Liza S Rovniak
1Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. jkraschnewski@hmc.psu.edu
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|November 22, 2011
Summary
Web-based weight control interventions incorporating successful user strategies show promise. This study found that the AchieveTogether program led to significant weight loss compared to a control group.
Area of Science:
- Obesity Research
- Digital Health Interventions
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Web-based interventions offer scalable weight control solutions but often lack effectiveness.
- Incorporating successful weight-loss strategies from "positive deviants" may enhance intervention efficacy.
- This study evaluated a novel web-based program leveraging user-generated content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of the AchieveTogether web-based intervention.
- To determine if user-generated weight-loss strategies improve outcomes.
- To evaluate the intervention's impact on weight and secondary health markers.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial comparing AchieveTogether to a wait-list control group.
- 100 overweight or obese adults participated in a 12-week intervention.
- Primary outcome was weight change; secondary outcomes included blood pressure, caloric intake, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- Participants in the AchieveTogether group lost an average of 1.4 kg (p<0.01).
- Control participants experienced a mean weight gain of 0.6 kg.
- The intervention demonstrated statistically significant weight reduction.
Conclusions:
- User-generated weight-loss practices from "positive deviants" can be effective in web-based interventions.
- The AchieveTogether program shows potential for promoting weight control.
- Further research is necessary to optimize the efficacy of such digital health tools.
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