24 months follow-up of a multidisciplinary intervention for obese adults – preliminary results

Abstract

Our multidisciplinary intervention for obese adults includes 12 sessions psychological training (motivational-volitional intervention), 6 sessions dietary advice, and 40 units guided physical exercise. We investigated whether participants in the IG become more physically active and loose more weight than participants in the CG. Obese persons were invited by public calls; up to now, we assigned n=18 persons (IG) and n=17 persons (CG). Both groups received the same intervention, except that we addressed for the IG additional to motivational aspects also volitional aspects of behaviour change. Questionnaires were completed at baseline (t1), at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months follow up (t2-t5). There are no relevant differences between groups at baseline. At t3 and t5, both groups lost weight (BMI t1-t3 IG: -2.57, CG: -3.06; BMI t1-t5 IG: -1.57, CG: -3.79, group differences ns). Results yielded that both groups were active at t1 and could increase their physical activity level at t3 on a descriptive basis (IG t1: 2.09hrs/week, t3: 2.89hrs/week; CG t1: 2.56hrs/week, t3: 3.62hrs/week). Up to t5, both groups decreased their physical activity (IG t5: 0.46hrs/week, CG t5: 1.86hrs/week). Regarding action planning, both groups showed similar values at t1 and t3. Only the CG could further increase their values until t5. We are currently recruiting more participants and expect complete data from 35 persons per group until the end of 2017. Changes in the level of physical exercise and weight are seen on a descriptive basis for both groups. Findings do not confirm the expected superiority of the IG.