Pounds Off Digitally Study: A Randomized Podcasting Weight-Loss Intervention
Refers to article:
Opportunities and Challenges in Behavioral Informatics: Observations on the Pounds Off Digitally Study
Beth C. Bock
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
October 2009 (Vol. 37, Issue 4, Pages 377-378) Full Text |
Full-Text PDF (77 KB)
Background
As obesity rates rise, new weight-loss methods are needed. Little is known about the use of podcasting (audio files for a portable music player or computer) to promote weight loss, despite its growing popularity.
Design
A 12-week RCT was conducted.
Setting/participants
The study sample comprised overweight men and women (BMI=25–40 kg/m2; n=78) in the Raleigh–Durham NC area.
Intervention
In 2008, participants were randomly assigned to receive 24 episodes of a currently available weight-loss podcast (control podcast) or a weight-loss podcast based on social cognitive theory (SCT) designed by the researchers (enhanced podcast) for 12 weeks.
Main outcome measures
Weight was measured on a digital scale at baseline and follow-up. Both groups also completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, food intake, physical activity, and SCT constructs at the introductory and 12-week meetings. Additional questionnaires at the 12-week meeting assessed perceptions of the intervention.
Results
Data collection and analysis occurred in 2008 and intention-to-treat was used. Enhanced group participants (n=41) had a greater decrease in weight (−2.9±3.5 kg enhanced group vs −0.3±2.1 control group; p<0.001 between groups) and BMI (−1.0±1.2 kg/m2 enhanced group vs −0.1±0.7 kg/m2 control group; p<0.001 between groups) than the control group (n=37) and had greater weight-loss–related knowledge (p<0.05), elaboration (p<0.001), and user control (p<0.001) and less cognitive load (p<0.001).
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that the use of behavioral, theory-based podcasting may be an effective way to promote weight loss.
aDepartment of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
bDepartment of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
cLineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, RD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2217 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Campus Box 7461, Chapel Hill NC 27599-7461
The full text of this article is available via AJPM Online at www.ajpm-online.net.
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