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The SHED-IT Community Trial: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet- and Paper-Based Weight Loss Programs Tailored for Overweight and Obese Men

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

There is limited evidence for effective obesity treatment programs that engage men.

Purpose

This study evaluated the efficacy of two gender-tailored weight loss interventions for men, which required no face-to-face contact.

Methods

This was a three-arm, randomized controlled trial: (1) Resources (n = 54), gender-tailored weight loss materials (DVD, handbooks, pedometer, tape measure); (2) Online (n = 53), Resources materials plus study website and e-feedback; and (3) Wait-list control (n = 52). The interventions lasted 3 months and were grounded in Social Cognitive Theory.

Results

At 6 months, significantly greater weight loss was observed for the Online (−4.7 kg; 95 % CI −6.1, −3.2) and Resources (−3.7 kg; 95 % CI −4.9, −2.5) groups compared to the control (−0.5 kg; 95 % CI −1.4, 0.4). Additionally, both intervention groups significantly improved body mass index, percent body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, physical activity, quality of life, alcohol risk, and portion size, compared to controls.

Conclusions

Men achieved significant weight loss after receiving novel, minimal-contact, gender-tailored programs, which were designed for widespread dissemination.

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Acknowledgments

The SHED-IT RCT is funded by a National Heart Foundation Grant-in-Aid (2010–2011). The funding bodies did not have any input into the design of the study, the collection or analysis of data, the preparation of this manuscript, or the decision to submit this manuscript for publication. We would like to thank the participating men. We would also like to thank James Dower, Bryana Melnik, Dana Williams, Alyce Cook, Trish Robson, Bronwyn Berthon, Ashlee Lucas, Roberta Asher, Sarah Costigan, Peter Nelson, Alecia Greig, Christine Young, Charlotte Bull, Amanda Williams, Erin Paul, Lachlan Collins, John Chambers, and Glenys Chambers. The authors thank Professor Graham Giles of the Cancer Epidemiology Centre of the Cancer Council Victoria for permission to use the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies (version 2), Melbourne: The Cancer Council Victoria, 1996. RCP is funded by a Senior Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. CEC is funded by a Career Development Award from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Philip J. Morgan Ph.D., Ronald C. Plotnikoff Ph.D, Myles D. Young B.Psych, Nina Berry Ph.D. & Kristen L. Saunders B.App.Sci.

  2. School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Robin Callister Ph.D. & Elroy Aguiar B.Biomed.Sc.

  3. School of Health Sciences, Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Clare E. Collins Ph.D & Tracy Burrows Ph.D.

  4. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

    Patrick McElduff Ph.D.

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  1. Philip J. Morgan Ph.D.
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  6. Nina Berry Ph.D.
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  7. Patrick McElduff Ph.D.
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  9. Elroy Aguiar B.Biomed.Sc.
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Correspondence to Philip J. Morgan Ph.D..

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Morgan, P.J., Callister, R., Collins, C.E. et al. The SHED-IT Community Trial: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet- and Paper-Based Weight Loss Programs Tailored for Overweight and Obese Men. ann. behav. med. 45, 139–152 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9424-z

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