Long-term weight loss following a randomised controlled trial of a weight management programme for men delivered through professional football clubs : the football fans in training follow-up study

Gray, Cindy M. and Wyke, Sally and Zhang, Rachel and Anderson, Annie S. and Barry, Sarah and Brennan, Graham and Briggs, Andrew and Boyer, Nicki and Bunn, Christopher and Donnachie, Craig and Grieve, Eleanor and Kohli-Lynch, Ciaran and Lloyd, Suzanne and McConnachie, Alex and McCowan, Colin and McLean, Alice and Mutrie, Nanette and Hunt, Kate (2018) Long-term weight loss following a randomised controlled trial of a weight management programme for men delivered through professional football clubs : the football fans in training follow-up study. Public Health Research, 6 (9). ISSN 2050-439X (https://doi.org/10.3310/phr06090)

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Abstract

Background Rising levels of obesity require interventions that support people in long-term weight loss. The Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme uses loyalty to football teams to engage men in weight loss. In 2011/12, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that the FFIT programme was effective in helping men lose weight up to 12 months. Objectives To investigate the long-term weight, and other physical, behavioural and psychological outcomes up to 3.5 years after the start of the RCT; the predictors, mediators and men’s qualitative experiences of long-term weight loss; cost-effectiveness; and the potential for long-term follow-up via men’s medical records. Design A mixed-methods, longitudinal cohort study. Setting Thirteen professional Scottish football clubs from the RCT and 16 additional Scottish football clubs that delivered the FFIT programme in 2015/16. Participants A total of 665 men who were aged 35–65 years at the RCT baseline measures and who consented to follow-up after the RCT (intervention group, n = 316; comparison group, n = 349), and 511 men who took part in the 2015/16 deliveries of the FFIT programme. Interventions None as part of this study. Main outcome measures Objectively measured weight change from the RCT baseline to 3.5 years. Results In total, 488 out of 665 men (73.4%) attended 3.5-year measurements. Participants in the FFIT follow-up intervention group sustained a mean weight loss from baseline of 2.90 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78 to 4.02 kg; p  Conclusions Participation in the FFIT programme under both research (during the FFIT RCT) and routine (after the FFIT RCT) delivery conditions led to significant long-term weight loss. Further research should investigate (1) how to design programmes to improve long-term weight loss maintenance, (2) longer-term follow-up of FFIT RCT participants and (3) very long-term follow-up via medical record linkage.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:85659
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    1 July 2018
    Published
    1 February 2017
    Accepted
    Notes:Gray CM, Wyke S, Zhang R, Anderson AS, Barry S, Brennan G, et al. Long-term weight loss following a randomised controlled trial of a weight management programme for men delivered through professional football clubs: the Football Fans in Training follow-up study. Public Health Res 2018;6(9) This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 6, No. 9. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. The Scottish Executive Health Department Chief Scientist Office (CSO) funded the feasibility pilot that preceded the FFIT RCT (CZG/2/504). The Medical Research Council (MRC) funded Kate Hunt and additional developmental research through the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit Gender and Health programme (5TK50/25605200-68094)
    Subjects:Medicine > Public aspects of medicine
    Department:Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) > Psychological Sciences and Health > Psychology
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:01 Jun 2023 12:44
    Last modified:21 Apr 2024 00:53
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/85659
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