ObesityNCT02616237
A Facebook-based Weight Loss Programme for Obese Adults in Hong Kong
A study testing Lifestyle Intervention in people with Obesity, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-month weight loss intervention program for obese working adults through a popular social networking site - Facebook. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Obesity
- What is being tested?
- Lifestyle Intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 59 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- Apr 2014to Oct 2015
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- university full-time employees;
- age 18 to 60 years,
- BMI of 25 to 40 kg/m2,
- have access to Internet and Facebook;
- able to communicate in both English and Chinese at F.5 secondary school level or above.
- agree to communicate with Internet, email, Facebook group and respect privacy.
Who cannot join
- Smoker;
- an unstable medical or mental status;
- history of myocardial infarction or stroke, or cancer in the past 5 years;
- orthopedic or joint problems that would prohibit exercise;
- in treatment for alcohol or drug dependency;
- an eating disorder;
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- pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant within the next 6 months;
- use of medication that might affect body weight;
- a recent weight loss of more than 4.5 kg in the previous 6 months;
- currently participating in a weight loss program;
- organic obesity;
- unable to attend assessments or increase physical activity.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of a Facebook-based Weight Loss Programme for Obese Adults in Hong Kong
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-month weight loss intervention program for obese working adults through a popular social networking site - Facebook.
Read the detailed description
Obese individuals often are at higher risk for developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The regular physical activity, healthy diet and social support have been shown to be beneficial for weight loss.
This is a two-arm parallel design randomized controlled trial for 6 months. Participants who completed the baseline assessment will be randomly allocated, after stratified by gender, to either a control group or Facebook-based intervention group. The control group will receive information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancer via three government printed health pamphlets. In addition to the government health pamphlets, the intervention group will receive a programme delivered through Facebook.
The interventions include participation in a private research group on Facebook for health education, self monitoring and social support. Participants will receive 12 weekly lessons related to nutrition, physical activity, Chinese food therapy, acupressure, weight loss. A registered nutritionist and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will join the Facebook group as health partners. Both of them are also registered nurses.
Data collection will be carried out at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Each time, both groups will complete online questionnaires and attend in-person anthropometric measurements
- Conditions
- Obesity
- Being tested
- Lifestyle Intervention
- Keywords
- Chinese population, acupressure, physical activity, nutrition, Facebook
- Medical subject headings
- Obesity, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Lifestyle InterventionBehavioural
East-meets-West Lifestyle Intervention elements include nutrition and exercise from the Western perspective, food therapy and acupressure from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, self-monitoring, and motivational videos of successful stories from working colleagues. The group participants in the Facebook are encouraged to post their health behaviors and questions, self-monitor, pledge for weight loss, seek social support and interact with health partners and other participants.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Lifestyle Intervention: The interventions include participation in a private research group on Facebook for health education, self monitoring and social support. Participants will receive 12 weekly lessons related to nutrition, physical activity, Chinese food therapy, acupressure, weight loss. A registered nutritionist and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will join the Facebook group as health partners. Both of them are also registered nurses.
Besides the Facebook contents, the participants will also receive government printed health information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancers. Receives: Behavioral: Lifestyle Intervention |
| Control Group | No intervention | The participants randomized into the Control Group will only receive government printed health information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancers. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in body weight
Weights will be taken in light clothes without shoes using a digital scale
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in Body Mass Index
Height will be taken at baseline using a wall-mounted stadiometer. BMI will be calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2)
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in waist circumference
Waist circumference will be measured by using an inelastic tape measure
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Secondary outcomes (7)
Changes in Stages of Change
A 5-item questionnaire will be used to categorize participants into stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance)
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in weight self-efficacy
Self-efficacy for weight loss will be assessed by using a 20-item Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL).
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in physical activity self-efficacy
A questionnaire of perceived confidence to engage in physical activity under a variety of circumstances on a 5-point Likert scale will be used.
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in weight decisional balance
A 20-item questionnaire of perceived pros and cons of weight loss on a 5-point Likert scale. The balance of the two scores >0 indicate more advantages than disadvantages to weight loss
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in social support
A questionnaire will be used to measure the perceived support and sabotage from friends and family for healthy eating and physical activity
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in dietary intake of fruits and vegetables
A questionnaire will be used to assess self-reported intake of fruits and vegetables in terms of portion size and frequency
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in physical activity
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire will be used to assess the changes in physical activity
Measured: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Nov 2015 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2014
- Primary completionOct 2015
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ObesityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 59 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, LAI Kam Wa, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Investigators
- WanChaw SHAE, Principal investigator, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02616237
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20131213002
- Status last verified
- Aug 2016
- First submitted
- 24 Nov 2015
- Last updated
- 24 Aug 2016
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Aug 2016. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of a Facebook-based Weight Loss Programme for Obese Adults in Hong Kong
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02616237
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 20131213002
- Conditions
- Obesity
- Keywords
- Chinese population, acupressure, physical activity, nutrition, Facebook
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 59 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Apr 2014
- Primary completion
- Oct 2015 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Nov 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-month weight loss intervention program for obese working adults through a popular social networking site - Facebook.
Detailed description
Obese individuals often are at higher risk for developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The regular physical activity, healthy diet and social support have been shown to be beneficial for weight loss.
This is a two-arm parallel design randomized controlled trial for 6 months. Participants who completed the baseline assessment will be randomly allocated, after stratified by gender, to either a control group or Facebook-based intervention group. The control group will receive information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancer via three government printed health pamphlets. In addition to the government health pamphlets, the intervention group will receive a programme delivered through Facebook.
The interventions include participation in a private research group on Facebook for health education, self monitoring and social support. Participants will receive 12 weekly lessons related to nutrition, physical activity, Chinese food therapy, acupressure, weight loss. A registered nutritionist and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will join the Facebook group as health partners. Both of them are also registered nurses.
Data collection will be carried out at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Each time, both groups will complete online questionnaires and attend in-person anthropometric measurements
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Lifestyle InterventionLifestyle Intervention: The interventions include participation in a private research group on Facebook for health education, self monitoring and social support. Participants will receive 12 weekly lessons related to nutrition, physical activity, Chinese food therapy, acupressure, weight loss. A registered nutritionist and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will join the Facebook group as health partners. Both of them are also registered nurses. Besides the Facebook contents, the participants will also receive government printed health information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancers. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –The participants randomized into the Control Group will only receive government printed health information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancers. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- university full-time employees;
- age 18 to 60 years,
- BMI of 25 to 40 kg/m2,
- have access to Internet and Facebook;
- able to communicate in both English and Chinese at F.5 secondary school level or above.
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Smoker;
- an unstable medical or mental status;
- history of myocardial infarction or stroke, or cancer in the past 5 years;
- orthopedic or joint problems that would prohibit exercise;
- in treatment for alcohol or drug dependency;
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle InterventionEast-meets-West Lifestyle Intervention elements include nutrition and exercise from the Western perspective, food therapy and acupressure from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, self-monitoring, and motivational videos of successful stories from working colleagues. The group participants in the Facebook are encouraged to post their health behaviors and questions, self-monitor, pledge for weight loss, seek social support and interact with health partners and other participants. | Behavioural | Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Changes in body weight
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Weights will be taken in light clothes without shoes using a digital scale
Changes in Body Mass Index
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Height will be taken at baseline using a wall-mounted stadiometer. BMI will be calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2)
Changes in waist circumference
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Waist circumference will be measured by using an inelastic tape measure
7 secondary outcomes
Changes in Stages of Change
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in weight self-efficacy
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in physical activity self-efficacy
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in weight decisional balance
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in social support
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in dietary intake of fruits and vegetables
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Changes in physical activity
Time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Aug 2016.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
WanChaw SHAE principal investigator
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Lifestyle Intervention in people with Obesity, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Aug 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in body weight (time frame: Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Aug 2016.