The additional effect of a Facebook-enhanced weight loss intervention in a sample of overweight and obese adults: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

Abstract

Social networking sites have progressively become essential tools for healthcare teams and researchers in the healthcare field for disseminating information and facilitate interpersonal communication among an extensive user community. The use of social networking sites in delivering behavior change interventions to enhance weight loss has become an increasingly important topic in recent years.

This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of a hybrid approach, combining face-to-face counseling with Facebook interventions for weight loss, analyzing weight change and emotional well-being.

From August 2017 to February 2020, 72 overweight or obese individuals (aged 20 to 64 years) from a medical center in Taipei, were randomized using a permuted-block procedure to receive either the Facebook enhanced group, a hybridized approach of face-to-face counseling complemented by Facebook-based interventions (n=37) or the control group, solely utilizing face-to-face counseling (n=35). Both weight and emotional distress were assessed at baseline and periodic intervals during the intervention and after the 12 months, and differences between groups were evaluated using Analysis of Covariance. Longitudinal trajectories for weight and emotional distress were evaluated employing Hierarchical Growth Curve Models. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06237933.

Participants’ mean (standard deviation (SD)) was 35.7 (9.9) years. Mean (SD) body mass index was 35.7 (9.9) kg/m2. At 12 months, weight was assessed in 54 (75%) participants, but all 72 were included in analyses. Both groups demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in weight at the 12-month time point. However, no statistically significant differences in weight change were observed. When adjusting for age, sex, and initial weight, the Facebook-enhanced group exhibited an accelerated yet statistically non-significant rate of weight loss (additional 0.23 kg/month, P=0.087). The rate of improvement in emotional distress was significantly greater in the Facebook-enhanced group than in the control group upon statistical adjustment (P=0.011).

Harnessing social networking sites enhances behavior change interventions' effectiveness in easing emotional distress during weight loss. Integrating in-person counseling with Facebook interventions shows promise for managing obesity in primary healthcare.

The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06237933.