The role of self-regulatory skills and automaticity on the effectiveness of a brief weight loss habit-based intervention: secondary analysis of the 10 top tips randomised trial

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Nathalie Kliemann¹  Fiona Johnson¹  Helen Croker¹  Rebecca J. Beeken²  Irwin Nazareth³  Victoria Vickerstaff³ 

[1] Department of Behavioural Science & Health, University College London, London, England;Department of Behavioural Science & Health, University College London, London, England;Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Level 10, Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, LS2 9NL, Leeds, England;Department of Primary Care & Population Health, University College London, London, England;

关键词: Self-regulation;    Habit formation;    Automaticity;    Weight loss;    Intervention;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12966-017-0578-8

 received in 2017-05-09, accepted in 2017-08-29,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHabit-interventions are designed to promote the automaticity of healthy behaviours and may also enhance self-regulatory skills during the habit-formation process. A recent trial of habit-based advice for weight loss (10 Top Tips; 10TT), found that patients allocated to 10TT lost significantly more weight over 3 months than those allocated to usual care, and reported greater increases in automaticity for the target behaviours. The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that i) 10TT increased self-regulatory skills more than usual care, and ii) that self-regulatory skills and automaticity changes mediated the effect of 10TT on weight loss.Methods537 obese patients from 14 primary care practices in the UK were randomized to receive 10TT or usual care. Patients in the 10TT group received a leaflet containing tips for weight loss and healthy habits formation, a self-monitoring log book and a wallet-sized shopping guide on how to read food labels. Patients were weighed and completed validated questionnaires for self-regulation and automaticity at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Within-group and Between-group effects were explored using Paired T-test and ANCOVA, respectively. Mediation was assessed using bootstrapping to estimate indirect effects and the sobel test.ResultsOver 3 months patients who were given 10TT reported greater increases in self-regulatory skills (Mean difference: .08; 95% CI .01; .15) than those who received usual care. Changes in self-regulatory skills and automaticity over 3 months mediated the effect of the intervention on weight loss (β = .52, 95% Bias Corrected CI .17; .91).ConclusionsAs hypothesised, 10TT enhanced self-regulatory skills and changes in self-regulatory skills and automaticity mediated the effect of the intervention on weight loss. This supports the proposition that self-regulatory training and habit formation are important features of weight loss interventions.Trial registrationThis study was prospectively registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials (ISRCTN16347068) on 26 September 2011.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017