Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention

Julia Mueller; Rebecca Richards; Rebecca A. Jones; Fiona Whittle; Jennifer Woolston; Marie Stubbings; Stephen J. Sharp; Simon J. Griffin; Jennifer Bostock; Carly A. Hughes; Andrew J. Hill; Clare E. Boothby; Amy L. Ahern

doi:10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x

Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention

Julia Mueller, Rebecca Richards, Rebecca A. Jones, Fiona Whittle, Jennifer Woolston, Marie Stubbings, Stephen J. Sharp, Simon J. Griffin, Jennifer Bostock, Carly A. Hughes, Andrew J. Hill, Clare E. Boothby, Amy L. Ahern

Norwich Medical School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives: We developed a guided self-help intervention (Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19, “SWiM-C”) to support adults with overweight or obesity in their weight management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This parallel, two-group trial (ISRCTN12107048) evaluated the effect of SWiM-C on weight and determinants of weight management over twelve months.

Methods: Participants (≥18 years, body-mass-index ≥25 kg/m2) were randomised to the SWiM-C intervention or to a standard advice group (unblinded). Participants completed online questionnaires at baseline, four months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was change in self-reported weight from baseline to twelve months; secondary outcomes were eating behaviour (uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, cognitive restraint of food intake), experiential avoidance, depression, anxiety, stress, wellbeing and physical activity.

Interventions: SWiM-C is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Participants had access to an online web platform with 12 weekly modules and email and telephone contact with a trained, non-specialist coach. Standard advice was a leaflet on managing weight and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: 388 participants were randomised (SWiM-C: n = 192, standard advice: n = 196). The baseline-adjusted difference in weight change between SWiM-C (n = 119) and standard advice (n = 147) was −0.81 kg (95% CI: −2.24 to 0.61 kg). SWiM-C participants reported a reduction in experiential avoidance (−2.45 [scale:10–70], 95% CI: −4.75 to −0.15), uncontrolled eating (−3.36 [scale: 0–100], 95% CI: −5.66 to −1.06), and emotional eating (−4.14 [scale:0–100], 95% CI: −7.25 to −1.02) and an increase in physical activity (8.96 [MET-min/week], 95% CI: 0.29 to 17.62) compared to standard advice participants. We found no evidence of an effect on remaining outcomes. No adverse events/side effects were reported.

Conclusions: Whilst we were unable to conclude that the intervention had an effect on weight, SWiM-C improved eating behaviours, experiential avoidance and physical activity. Further refinement of the intervention is necessary to ensure meaningful effects on weight prior to implementation in practice.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	51–59
Number of pages	9
Journal	International Journal of Obesity
Volume	47
Early online date	11 Nov 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x
Publication status	Published - Jan 2023

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Access to Document

10.1038/s41366-022-01232-xLicence: CC BY

s41366-022-01232-xFinal published version, 907 KBLicence: CC BY

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-022-01232-xLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Mueller, J., Richards, R., Jones, R. A., Whittle, F., Woolston, J., Stubbings, M., Sharp, S. J., Griffin, S. J., Bostock, J., Hughes, C. A., Hill, A. J., Boothby, C. E., & Ahern, A. L. (2023). Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention. International Journal of Obesity, 47, 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x

@article{bc3cb09569d64fad87ce075d79caad90,

title = "Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention",

abstract = "Objectives: We developed a guided self-help intervention (Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19, “SWiM-C”) to support adults with overweight or obesity in their weight management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This parallel, two-group trial (ISRCTN12107048) evaluated the effect of SWiM-C on weight and determinants of weight management over twelve months.Methods: Participants (≥18 years, body-mass-index ≥25 kg/m2) were randomised to the SWiM-C intervention or to a standard advice group (unblinded). Participants completed online questionnaires at baseline, four months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was change in self-reported weight from baseline to twelve months; secondary outcomes were eating behaviour (uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, cognitive restraint of food intake), experiential avoidance, depression, anxiety, stress, wellbeing and physical activity.Interventions: SWiM-C is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Participants had access to an online web platform with 12 weekly modules and email and telephone contact with a trained, non-specialist coach. Standard advice was a leaflet on managing weight and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: 388 participants were randomised (SWiM-C: n = 192, standard advice: n = 196). The baseline-adjusted difference in weight change between SWiM-C (n = 119) and standard advice (n = 147) was −0.81 kg (95% CI: −2.24 to 0.61 kg). SWiM-C participants reported a reduction in experiential avoidance (−2.45 [scale:10–70], 95% CI: −4.75 to −0.15), uncontrolled eating (−3.36 [scale: 0–100], 95% CI: −5.66 to −1.06), and emotional eating (−4.14 [scale:0–100], 95% CI: −7.25 to −1.02) and an increase in physical activity (8.96 [MET-min/week], 95% CI: 0.29 to 17.62) compared to standard advice participants. We found no evidence of an effect on remaining outcomes. No adverse events/side effects were reported.Conclusions: Whilst we were unable to conclude that the intervention had an effect on weight, SWiM-C improved eating behaviours, experiential avoidance and physical activity. Further refinement of the intervention is necessary to ensure meaningful effects on weight prior to implementation in practice.",

author = "Julia Mueller and Rebecca Richards and Jones, {Rebecca A.} and Fiona Whittle and Jennifer Woolston and Marie Stubbings and Sharp, {Stephen J.} and Griffin, {Simon J.} and Jennifer Bostock and Hughes, {Carly A.} and Hill, {Andrew J.} and Boothby, {Clare E.} and Ahern, {Amy L.}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [grant number MC_UU_00006/6], the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme (RP-PG-0216-20010), and by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The University of Cambridge has received salary support in respect of SJG from the NHS in the East of England through the Clinical Academic Reserve. The funders had no role in study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, or writing of the report.",

year = "2023",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x",

language = "English",

volume = "47",

pages = "51–59",

journal = "International Journal of Obesity",

issn = "0307-0565",

publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",

}

Mueller, J, Richards, R, Jones, RA, Whittle, F, Woolston, J, Stubbings, M, Sharp, SJ, Griffin, SJ, Bostock, J, Hughes, CA, Hill, AJ, Boothby, CE & Ahern, AL 2023, 'Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention', International Journal of Obesity, vol. 47, pp. 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x

TY - JOUR

T1 - Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention

AU - Mueller, Julia

AU - Richards, Rebecca

AU - Jones, Rebecca A.

AU - Whittle, Fiona

AU - Woolston, Jennifer

AU - Stubbings, Marie

AU - Sharp, Stephen J.

AU - Griffin, Simon J.

AU - Bostock, Jennifer

AU - Hughes, Carly A.

AU - Hill, Andrew J.

AU - Boothby, Clare E.

AU - Ahern, Amy L.

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [grant number MC_UU_00006/6], the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme (RP-PG-0216-20010), and by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The University of Cambridge has received salary support in respect of SJG from the NHS in the East of England through the Clinical Academic Reserve. The funders had no role in study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, or writing of the report.

PY - 2023/1

Y1 - 2023/1

N2 - Objectives: We developed a guided self-help intervention (Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19, “SWiM-C”) to support adults with overweight or obesity in their weight management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This parallel, two-group trial (ISRCTN12107048) evaluated the effect of SWiM-C on weight and determinants of weight management over twelve months.Methods: Participants (≥18 years, body-mass-index ≥25 kg/m2) were randomised to the SWiM-C intervention or to a standard advice group (unblinded). Participants completed online questionnaires at baseline, four months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was change in self-reported weight from baseline to twelve months; secondary outcomes were eating behaviour (uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, cognitive restraint of food intake), experiential avoidance, depression, anxiety, stress, wellbeing and physical activity.Interventions: SWiM-C is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Participants had access to an online web platform with 12 weekly modules and email and telephone contact with a trained, non-specialist coach. Standard advice was a leaflet on managing weight and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: 388 participants were randomised (SWiM-C: n = 192, standard advice: n = 196). The baseline-adjusted difference in weight change between SWiM-C (n = 119) and standard advice (n = 147) was −0.81 kg (95% CI: −2.24 to 0.61 kg). SWiM-C participants reported a reduction in experiential avoidance (−2.45 [scale:10–70], 95% CI: −4.75 to −0.15), uncontrolled eating (−3.36 [scale: 0–100], 95% CI: −5.66 to −1.06), and emotional eating (−4.14 [scale:0–100], 95% CI: −7.25 to −1.02) and an increase in physical activity (8.96 [MET-min/week], 95% CI: 0.29 to 17.62) compared to standard advice participants. We found no evidence of an effect on remaining outcomes. No adverse events/side effects were reported.Conclusions: Whilst we were unable to conclude that the intervention had an effect on weight, SWiM-C improved eating behaviours, experiential avoidance and physical activity. Further refinement of the intervention is necessary to ensure meaningful effects on weight prior to implementation in practice.

AB - Objectives: We developed a guided self-help intervention (Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19, “SWiM-C”) to support adults with overweight or obesity in their weight management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This parallel, two-group trial (ISRCTN12107048) evaluated the effect of SWiM-C on weight and determinants of weight management over twelve months.Methods: Participants (≥18 years, body-mass-index ≥25 kg/m2) were randomised to the SWiM-C intervention or to a standard advice group (unblinded). Participants completed online questionnaires at baseline, four months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was change in self-reported weight from baseline to twelve months; secondary outcomes were eating behaviour (uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, cognitive restraint of food intake), experiential avoidance, depression, anxiety, stress, wellbeing and physical activity.Interventions: SWiM-C is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Participants had access to an online web platform with 12 weekly modules and email and telephone contact with a trained, non-specialist coach. Standard advice was a leaflet on managing weight and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: 388 participants were randomised (SWiM-C: n = 192, standard advice: n = 196). The baseline-adjusted difference in weight change between SWiM-C (n = 119) and standard advice (n = 147) was −0.81 kg (95% CI: −2.24 to 0.61 kg). SWiM-C participants reported a reduction in experiential avoidance (−2.45 [scale:10–70], 95% CI: −4.75 to −0.15), uncontrolled eating (−3.36 [scale: 0–100], 95% CI: −5.66 to −1.06), and emotional eating (−4.14 [scale:0–100], 95% CI: −7.25 to −1.02) and an increase in physical activity (8.96 [MET-min/week], 95% CI: 0.29 to 17.62) compared to standard advice participants. We found no evidence of an effect on remaining outcomes. No adverse events/side effects were reported.Conclusions: Whilst we were unable to conclude that the intervention had an effect on weight, SWiM-C improved eating behaviours, experiential avoidance and physical activity. Further refinement of the intervention is necessary to ensure meaningful effects on weight prior to implementation in practice.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141697426&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x

DO - 10.1038/s41366-022-01232-x

M3 - Article

SN - 0307-0565

VL - 47

SP - 51

EP - 59

JO - International Journal of Obesity

JF - International Journal of Obesity

ER -

Supporting weight management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Cite this