Effectiveness of a web-based intervention aimed at healthy dietary and physical activity behavior: a randomized controlled trial about users and usage

Background:\ud Recent studies have shown the potential of Web-based interventions for changing dietary and physical activity (PA) behavior. However, the pathways of these changes are not clear. In addition, nonusage poses a threat to these interventions. Little is known of characteristics of participants that predict usage.\ud \ud Objective:\ud In this study we investigated the users and effect of the Healthy Weight Assistant (HWA), a Web-based intervention aimed at healthy dietary and PA behavior. We investigated the value of a proposed framework (including social and economic factors, condition-related factors, patient-related factors, reasons for use, and satisfaction) to predict which participants are users and which participants are nonusers. Additionally, we investigated the effectiveness of the HWA on the primary outcomes, self-reported dietary and physical activity behavior.\ud \ud Methods:\ud Our design was a two-armed randomized controlled trial that compared the HWA with a waiting list control condition. A total of 150 participants were allocated to the waiting list group, and 147 participants were allocated to the intervention group. Online questionnaires were filled out before the intervention period started and after the intervention period of 12 weeks. After the intervention period, respondents in the waiting list group could use the intervention. Objective usage data was obtained from the application itself.\ud \ud Results:\ud In the intervention group, 64% (81/147) of respondents used the HWA at least once and were categorized as “users.” Of these, 49% (40/81) used the application only once. Increased age and not having a chronic condition increased the odds of having used the HWA (age: beta = 0.04, P = .02; chronic condition: beta = 2.24, P = .003). Within the intervention group, users scored better on dietary behavior and on knowledge about healthy behavior than nonusers (self-reported diet: χ22 = 8.4, P = .02; knowledge: F1,125 = 4.194, P = .04). Furthermore, users underestimated their behavior more often than nonusers, and nonusers overestimated their behavior more often than users (insight into dietary behavior: χ22 = 8.2, P = .02). Intention-to-treat analyses showed no meaningful significant effects of the intervention. Exploratory analyses of differences between pretest and posttest scores of users, nonusers, and the control group showed that on dietary behavior only the nonusers significantly improved (effect size r = −.23, P = .03), while on physical activity behavior only the users significantly improved (effect size r = −.17, P = .03).\ud \ud Conclusions:\ud Respondents did not use the application as intended. From the proposed framework, a social and economic factor (age) and a condition-related factor (chronic condition) predicted usage. Moreover, users were healthier and more knowledgeable about healthy behavior than nonusers. We found no apparent effects of the intervention, although exploratory analyses showed that choosing to use or not to use the intervention led to different outcomes. Combined with the differences between groups at baseline, this seems to imply that these groups are truly different and should be treated as separate entities

Bovenschoolse Kenniswerkplaats Gezonde Leefstijl

Onderwijs, onderzoek en werkveld: samenwerking vanuit de bovenschoolse Kenniswerkplaats Gezonde Leefstijl   Achtergrond en doelstelling Het gezondheidsdomein verandert sterk en vraagt van nieuwe gezondheidsprofessionals dat zij in staat zijn om over de grenzen van hun eigen expertise heen te kijken. Binnen de Hanzehogeschool Groningen (HG) leent het speerpunt Healthy Ageing zich voor een multidisciplinaire aanpak van gezondheid: gezond opgroeien en gezond ouder worden vereisen preventieve benaderingen, interventies en begeleiding die gericht zijn op zowel lichaam als geest en waarbij diverse professionals betrokken zijn. Multidisciplinaire kenniswerkplaatsen (KWP’s) zijn een manier om deze samenwerking binnen de HG tot stand te brengen. In deze poster beschrijven we de opzet van de KWP Gezonde leefstijl.   Aanpak en methode van het project  In de KWP Gezonde Leefstijl  hebben docenten van de opleidingen Sport Gezondheid Management, Toegepaste Psychologie, Pabo, Verpleegkunde, Voeding en Diëtetiek en de Academie voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding zitting. Samen met studenten en werkveldpartners werken zij aan multidisciplinaire vraagstukken op het gebied van Gezonde Leefstijl. Dat wil zeggen: vraagstukken die vanuit verschillende vakgebieden bekeken en opgelost kunnen en moeten worden. Kernonderwerpen zijn: gecombineerde leefstijlinterventies, gedragsdeterminanten voor een gezonde leefstijl, en de implementatieprofessional.   Resultaten en opbrengsten Inmiddels is de KWP ruim twee jaar in de lucht. Met een aantal praktijkpartners vindt samenwerking plaats: de gemeente en provincie Groningen, GGD Groningen, Huis voor de Sport Groningen en de Hanzehogeschool zelf. Studenten van verschillende opleiding werken onder andere aan:  (1) de uitvoering van een duurzame inzetbaarheidsinterventie voor Hanze personeel, (2) het ondersteunen van scholen om een vignet Gezonde School aan te vragen en (3) Onderzoek naar Jongeren op Gezond Gewicht in een specifieke gemeente. De studenten komen bij elkaar Communities of Learners, waarin zij kennis en ervaring met elkaar en praktijkpartners uitdelen. Ook zijn diverse minoren gekoppeld aan de KWP.   Conclusies en aanbevelingen De bovenschoolse KWP Gezonde Leefstijl is een meerwaade in het opleiden van de toekomstige T-shaped professional. Ook de projecten hebben baat bij de multidisciplinaire invalshoek en de eerste ervaringen rondom de multidisciplinaire samenwerking in de CoL zijn positief. Toch vormt deze vorm van multidisciplinair samenwerken uitdagingen op organisatorisch vlak: de diversiteit aan opleidingskaders vormt het voornaamste struikelblok. De aaanjaagfunctie van de bovenschoolse KWP is een belangrijke voorwaarde voor samenwerking tussen opleidingen gebleken.    Visuele presentatie: Weergave van relaties tussen opleidingen, werkveldpartners en projecten en hoe deze binnen het onderwijs worden ingevuld

Evaluation of an Interactive Web-based Application to Promote Healthy Behavior in Order to Maintain a Healthy Weight - Preliminary Findings

Web-based interactive applications may combine the interactive and tailored nature of successful behavior change interventions with the wide reach needed to target the general population. There is a lack of insight in the requirements for successful interactive Web-based applications in prevention. The objective of this research is to evaluate the Healthy Weight Assistant (HWA) of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and give recommendations for optimization of this application. This study consists of questionnaires (n=703, follow-up n=431), real-time usability-tests, log-file analysis and qualitative analysis. From the preliminary results we see that improvement with maximum effect and minimal change of the HWA can be found in motivation to keep using the application and motivation to change behavior. This can be achieved by sending automatic (tailored) reminders, restructuring the second stage in the application (motivation and goal setting) and by adding a tab 'my goals' to the application

Effect of an individually tailored one-year energy balance programme on body weight, body composition and lifestyle in recent retirees: a cluster randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity warrants preventive actions, particularly among people in transitional stages associated with lifestyle changes, such as occupational retirement. The purpose is to investigate the effect of a one year low-intensity computer-tailored energy balance programme among recent retirees on waist circumference, body weight and body composition, blood pressure, physical activity and dietary intake.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A randomised controlled trial was conducted among recent retirees (N = 413; mean age 59.5 years). Outcome measures were assessed using anthropometry, bio-impedance, blood pressure measurement and questionnaires.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Waist circumference, body weight and blood pressure decreased significantly in men of the intervention and control group, but no significant between-group-differences were observed at 12 or at 24-months follow-up. A significant effect of the programme was only observed on waist circumference (-1.56 cm (95%CI: -2.91 to -0.21)) at 12 month follow up among men with low education (n = 85). Physical activity and dietary behaviours improved in both the intervention and control group during the intervention period. Although, these behaviours changed more favourably in the intervention group, these between-group-differences were not statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The multifaceted computer-tailored programme for recent retirees did not appear to be effective. Apparently the transition to occupational retirement and/or participation in the study had a greater impact than the intervention programme.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Clinical Trials NCT00122213.</p

Study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of a tailored energy balance programme for recent retirees

BACKGROUND: People in transitional life stages, such as occupational retirement, are likely to gain weight and accumulate abdominal fat mass caused by changes in physical activity and diet. Hence, retirees are an important target group for weight gain prevention programmes, as described in the present paper. METHODS/DESIGN: A systematic and stepwise approach (Intervention Mapping) is used to develop a low-intensity energy balance intervention programme for recent retirees. This one-year, low-intensity multifaceted programme aims to prevent accumulation of abdominal fat mass and general weight gain by increasing awareness of energy balance and influencing related behaviours of participants' preference. These behaviours are physical activity, fibre intake, portion size and fat consumption. The effectiveness of the intervention programme is tested in a cluster randomised controlled trial. Measurements of anthropometry, physical activity, energy intake, and related psychosocial determinants are performed at baseline and repeated at 6 months for intermediate effect, at 12 months to evaluate short-term intervention effects and at 24 months to test the sustainability of the effects. DISCUSSION: This intervention programme is unique in its focus on retirees and energy balance. It aims at increasing awareness and takes into account personal preferences of the users by offering several options for behaviour change. Moreover, the intervention programme is evaluated at short-term and long-term and includes consecutive outcome measures (determinants, behaviour and body composition)