Background: Previous studies report 0.4-1.5kg of weight gain during the holiday season, which may contribute to annual weight gain. Purpose: To test whether daily self-weighing (DSW) can prevent holiday weight gain. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that daily self-weighing would effectively prevent weight and fat gain, and that individuals with overweight and obesity would respond most favorably to DSW.
A single-blinded randomized control trial: Adults (age 18-75y, BMI ≥ 18.5kg/m2) were randomized to either a control or daily self-weighing (DSW) group. There were 3 testing visits: pre-holiday (v1: within 7d before Thanksgiving), post-holiday (v2: within 7d after New Year's Day), and a follow-up (v3: 14 weeks after v2). The DSW group were given Wi-Fi scales that provide graphical feedback of daily weight. They were instructed to perform DSW during the holidays and to try not to gain weight above baseline weights. Anthropometrics were measured at each visit.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
111
DSW was conducted using digital WiFi scales during the holiday season. Participants received electronic graphic feedback of their weight fluctuations immediately after weight measurement.
University of Georgia - Department of Foods and Nutrition
Athens, Georgia, United States
Change in Body Weight (kg) From Pre- to Post-holiday and 14-week Follow-up Post-holiday
Mechanical Beam Scale (Model 402KL, Health o Meter professional scales, McCook, IL, USA); Capacity: 390 lbs / 180 kg; Readability: 1/4 lb / 100 g.
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m^2)
weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Body Fat (%)
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Waist Circumference (cm)
Measuring tape
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Hip Circumference (cm)
Measuring tape
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
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Concentration of Blood Triglyceride (mg/dL)
Fasting blood draw
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Concentration of Blood High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) (mg/dL)
Fasting blood draw
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Concentration of Blood Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) (mg/dL)
Fasting blood draw
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.
Concentration of Blood Total Cholesterol (TC) (mg/dL)
Fasting blood draw
Time frame: Measured at 3 testing visits: Visit 1 (pre-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days before Thanksgiving, visit 2 (post-holiday visit) occurred within 7 days after New Year's Day, and visit 3 (follow-up visit) occurred 14 weeks after visit 2.