The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-month weight loss intervention program for obese working adults through a popular social networking site - Facebook.
Obese individuals often are at higher risk for developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The regular physical activity, healthy diet and social support have been shown to be beneficial for weight loss. This is a two-arm parallel design randomized controlled trial for 6 months. Participants who completed the baseline assessment will be randomly allocated, after stratified by gender, to either a control group or Facebook-based intervention group. The control group will receive information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancer via three government printed health pamphlets. In addition to the government health pamphlets, the intervention group will receive a programme delivered through Facebook. The interventions include participation in a private research group on Facebook for health education, self monitoring and social support. Participants will receive 12 weekly lessons related to nutrition, physical activity, Chinese food therapy, acupressure, weight loss. A registered nutritionist and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will join the Facebook group as health partners. Both of them are also registered nurses. Data collection will be carried out at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Each time, both groups will complete online questionnaires and attend in-person anthropometric measurements
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
59
East-meets-West Lifestyle Intervention elements include nutrition and exercise from the Western perspective, food therapy and acupressure from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, self-monitoring, and motivational videos of successful stories from working colleagues. The group participants in the Facebook are encouraged to post their health behaviors and questions, self-monitor, pledge for weight loss, seek social support and interact with health partners and other participants.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Changes in body weight
Weights will be taken in light clothes without shoes using a digital scale
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in Body Mass Index
Height will be taken at baseline using a wall-mounted stadiometer. BMI will be calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2)
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in waist circumference
Waist circumference will be measured by using an inelastic tape measure
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in Stages of Change
A 5-item questionnaire will be used to categorize participants into stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance)
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in weight self-efficacy
Self-efficacy for weight loss will be assessed by using a 20-item Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL).
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in physical activity self-efficacy
A questionnaire of perceived confidence to engage in physical activity under a variety of circumstances on a 5-point Likert scale will be used.
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in weight decisional balance
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
A 20-item questionnaire of perceived pros and cons of weight loss on a 5-point Likert scale. The balance of the two scores \>0 indicate more advantages than disadvantages to weight loss
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in social support
A questionnaire will be used to measure the perceived support and sabotage from friends and family for healthy eating and physical activity
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in dietary intake of fruits and vegetables
A questionnaire will be used to assess self-reported intake of fruits and vegetables in terms of portion size and frequency
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in physical activity
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire will be used to assess the changes in physical activity
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months