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Shape Program effective for obese postmenopausal black women
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Behavioral weight gain prevention programs could be an effective alternative to other weight management strategies among socioeconomically disadvantaged black women, according to researchers.
Gary G. Bennett, PhD, of the department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, and colleagues conducted a two-arm, 12-month clinical trial at six community health care sites to compare changes in weight and cardiometabolic risks in the Shape Program.
“Our findings may have major clinical and public health significance. Preventing weight gain in this population over time might help maintain the population’s lower relative risk of obesity-associated chronic disease and mortality,” researchers wrote.
Gary G. Bennett
They randomly assigned 194 overweight and class 1 obese (BMI: 25 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2) postmenopausal black women aged 25 to 44 years to a medium-intensity intervention group (n=97) or usual care (n=97). At baseline, patients had a mean weight of 81.1 kg and a mean BMI of 30.2 kg/m2, according to data.
The intervention group included behavioral goals, weekly self-monitoring and counseling calls, skills training and a gym membership, according to researchers. The usual care group was sent informative newsletters every 6 months on general wellness topics, excluding weight loss, nutrition and physical activity.
According to 12-month data, weight change was greater among patients assigned to the intervention group compared with the usual care group (mean difference: –1.4 kg; 95% CI, –2.8 to –0.1). Additionally, 62% of patients in the intervention group demonstrated the same weight or weight loss relative to baseline data compared with 45% of patients in the usual care group (P=.03).
However, 18-month data demonstrate patients maintained significantly greater amounts of weight changes (mean difference: –1.7 kg; 95% CI, –3.3 to –0.2), researchers wrote.
In an accompanying commentary, Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, of the department of health and human services and office of the US Surgeon General, and colleagues wrote that the results from Bennett and colleagues are encouraging.
“Combining clinical and community approaches may offer the best hope for helping our nation’s citizens achieve and maintain a healthy weight,” they wrote.
For more information:
Benjamin RM. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.7776.
Bennett GC. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.9263.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.