Effective weight management: Evaluation of

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if participation in a 12 week weight management programme results in favorable long - term changes in; weight, body composition and physical activity levels. Participants (N=35) attended the 12 week 'Lite 4 Life' programme, combining nutritional advice and diet prescription from NHS Community Dieticians, and weekly group based exercise led by qualified Exercise Advisers. Repeated measures of body weight, BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage were taken at pre, post, 1 month post, 6 months, and 1 year post programme stage. Repeated measure ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc method of analysis of variance were adopted. Body weight (ave -2.32 kg), Waist circumference (ave -4.43cm), BMI (-0.93%), and body fat percentage (-2.72%) were significantly (p< 0.05) reduced from pre to post programme. Physical activity measured by pedometer over a 7 day period, was significantly increased (70%) from pre to post programme. At 1 month post programme significant changes in weight, BMI and Waist circumference seen at the post programme stage were maintained, but no further reductions were evident. At 6 months post programme stage, significant reductions in body weight were maintained, however reductions in waist circumference were not maintained to 6 months post programme. At 1 year post programme, due to low reporting numbers, no significant changes were evident in any variable. Participation in the Lite 4 Life programme results in significant weight loss which is maintained up to 6 months post programme, additional research is required to assess changes up to 1 year post programme.