Browsing by Author "Potter, Kerry L."
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- Feasibility, effectiveness, and perceptions of an Internet- and incentive-based behavioral weight loss intervention for overweight and obese college freshmen: A mixed methods approachDavy, Brenda M.; Potter, Kerry L.; Dennis, Elizabeth A.; Harden, Samantha M.; Hill, Jennie L.; Halliday, Tanya M.; Estabrooks, Paul A. (2013)Challenges inherent with the transition to col- lege are often accompanied by weight gain among college freshmen. Weight gain and dura- tion of obesity increase metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk in young adulthood, which supports the need for weight loss inter- ventions tailored to college students. The pur- pose of this investigation was to conduct a mixed methods pilot trial to determine the effi- cacy and acceptability of a semester long Inter- net- and incentive-based weight loss interven- tion for overweight/obese college freshmen. Par- ticipants (n = 27, aged >18 yrs, BMI >25) were randomly assigned to a 12-week social cognitive theory (SCT)-based intervention (Fit Freshmen [FF]) or a health information control group. The FF intervention also included modest financial incentives for weight loss. Primary outcomes included body weight/composition, dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviors, and psychoso- cial measures (i.e. self-efficacy, self-regulation) associated with diet, PA, and weight loss. Stu- dents in the FF intervention participated in focus groups to provide qualitative feedback on pro- gram structure and design. FF participants demonstrated significant reductions (all group differences p < 0.10) in body weight (−1.2 kg), fat mass (−0.6 kg), dietary energy (−673 kcal/d), fat (−37 g/d) and added sugar intake (−41 g/d), and increases in diet and PA-related self-regulatory skills at week 12 compared to control partici- pants (+1.0 kg, +1.1 kg, −334 kcal/d, −15 g/d, −13 g/d, respectively). No changes in PA were noted, but FF participants demonstrated increases in self-efficacy to overcome barriers to PA relative to control participants. Themes for content im- provement from focus groups included reducing email contact and increasing in-person interac- tions. Program characteristics that were posi- tively evaluated included incentives for weight loss and access to an onsite weigh station kiosk. Overall, this efficacious SCT Internet- and incen- tive-based weight loss intervention was well received and can be adapted for larger-scale use in the college population.
- Fit Freshmen: A mixed methods approach to developing weight control strategies for 1st year college studentsPotter, Kerry L. (Virginia Tech, 2010-04-15)College-age adults gain weight more rapidly than the general population, with a mean weight gain of ~1.8 to 4 kilograms during their first year at college. The purpose of this pilot RCT was to test the efficacy of a semester long internet weight-loss program based upon social cognitive theory for overweight college freshmen. Qualitative focus groups were used to provide feedback on content of the active intervention. Participants (n=27; mage=18.5±.6; mweight=90kg±18; 74% female) were randomly assigned to the active intervention (Fit Freshmen; FF) or a health information control group and completed baseline and 3 month follow-up measurements. When compared to controls FF participants experienced higher improvement in self-regulatory skills for portion control, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity (all p's<.05). Consumption of dietary fat and added sugar also decreased significantly for FF subjects when compared to controls (all p's<.05) while total energy intake differences were significant (p<.09). Trends in increased physical activity were present, but not significantly different between groups. Finally, FF lost significantly more weight than controls (mdifference=2.2kg; p<0.05) and more fat mass (mdifference=1kg; p<0.09). Themes for content improvement included providing a more detailed meal plan, reducing email contact, and increasing social activity opportunities. Program characteristics that were positively evaluated included the flexible exercise program, incentives for weight loss, and use of an onsite weigh station. This study provides promising outcomes for a scalable internet-based weight loss program for college freshmen and highlights features that could be improved to be more attractive to this population.
- Weight Gain Prevention for College Freshmen: Comparing Two Social Cognitive Theory-Based Interventions with and without Explicit Self-Regulation TrainingDennis, Elizabeth A.; Potter, Kerry L.; Estabrooks, Paul A.; Davy, Brenda M. (2012)The college transition represents a critical period for maintaining a healthy weight, yet intervention participation and retention represent significant challenges. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and acceptability of two interventions to prevent freshman weight gain. One intervention provided opportunities to improve outcome expectations and self-efficacy within a social cognitive theory framework (SCT), while the other targeted the same variables but focused on explicit training in self-regulation skills (SCTSR). Methods. Freshmen (n = 45) aged >18 years were randomized to a 14-week intervention, SCT or SCTSR; both included online modules and in-class meetings. Of the 45 students randomized, 5 withdrew before the classes began and 39 completed pre- and posttesting. Primary outcomes included body weight/composition, health behaviors, and program acceptability. Analyses included independent sample t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and bivariate correlational analyses. Results. Body weight increased over the 14-week period, but there was no group difference. Percent body fat increased in SCTSR but not SCT (mean difference: SCTSR, +1.63 ± 0.52%; SCT, -0.25 ± 0.45%; P = 0.01). Class attendance was 100% (SCTSR) and 98% (SCT); SCTSR students (>50%) remarked that the online tracking required "too much time." Conclusions. The intervention was well received, although there were no improvements in weight outcomes.