Effects of meeting steps-based and minutes-based physical activity goals on weight loss in online behavioral weight control: seemingly unrelated regression analysis. Issue 1 (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stansbury, Melissa L.; Krukowski, Rebecca A.; You, Wen; Harvey, Jean R.; West, Delia S.
• Is Part Of: Health psychology and behavioral medicine. Volume 10:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 956
• Page End: 972
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: Exercise prescription -- obesity -- physical activity -- interventions -- health behavior; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.09
• DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2022.2129654
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-2850

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Behavioral weight loss programs often prescribe physical activity (PA) goals in terms of minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and steps/day. However, the impact of meeting each type of goal prescription on weight loss is unclear, particularly in digitally-based (eHealth/mHealth) programs. This secondary analysis of a randomized trial examined the effects of meeting steps-based and minutes-based goals on weight loss in an eHealth behavioral weight control program. Methods: Adults in the control arm received a 6-month online behavioral weight loss intervention with prescribed weekly goals for daily steps and minutes of MVPA. The number of weeks steps-based and minutes-based goals were met (≥100% and ≥75% thresholds) based on self-reported PA were examined as predictors of 6-month weight loss among those providing weight outcomes ( n = 172; 81% of control arm) using a systems regression approach. Results: Participants (BMI 35.6 kg/m 2 ; 90.1% female; 48.7 years of age) met weekly goals for MVPA (7.1 ± 6.4 weeks) more often than steps (3.5 ± 5.5 weeks, P < .001). Meeting the steps goals ( β = .24, P < .001) and MVPA goals ( β = .20, P < .001) were each statistically significant predictors of weight loss at the 100% threshold; their total effects were not statistically different from one another ( χ 2 = 1.12, P = .29). Similarly, at the 75% threshold for steps goals ( β = .19, P < .001) and MVPA goals ( β = .19, P < .001), each independently predicted weight loss; no differences were detected in their total effects ( χ 2 = .01, P = .92). The probability of reaching ≥5% weight loss was comparable between meeting the steps goals and MVPA goals at both adherence thresholds. Conclusions: Greater attainment of PA goals prescribed as steps and minutes of MVPA independently contribute to similar weight loss outcomes in a 6-month online behavioral weight loss intervention. Future research should determine whether promoting adherence to combined steps-based and minutes-based goals produces better weight loss than utilizing either goal alone and identify strategies that improve adherence.