Waste the waist: A pilot randomised controlled trial of a primary care based intervention to support lifestyle change in people with high cardiovascular risk

Colin Greaves, Fiona Gillison, Afroditi Stathi, Paul Bennett, Prasuna Reddy, James Dunbar, Rachel Perry, Daniel Messom, Roger Chandler, Margaret Francis, Mark Davis, Colin Green, Philip Evans, Gordon Taylor

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Abstract

Background
In the UK, thousands of people with high cardiovascular risk are being identified by a national risk-assessment programme (NHS Health Checks). Waste the Waist is an evidence-informed, theory-driven (modified Health Action Process Approach), group-based intervention designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity for people with high cardiovascular risk. This pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering the Waste the Waist intervention in UK primary care and of conducting a full-scale randomised controlled trial. We also conducted exploratory analyses of changes in weight.

Methods
Patients aged 40–74 with a Body Mass Index of 28 or more and high cardiovascular risk were identified from risk-assessment data or from practice database searches. Participants were randomised, using an online computerised randomisation algorithm, to receive usual care and standardised information on cardiovascular risk and lifestyle (Controls) or nine sessions of the Waste the Waist programme (Intervention). Group allocation was concealed until the point of randomisation. Thereafter, the statistician, but not participants or data collectors were blinded to group allocation. Weight, physical activity (accelerometry) and cardiovascular risk markers (blood tests) were measured at 0, 4 and 12 months.

Results
108 participants (22% of those approached) were recruited (55 intervention, 53 controls) from 6 practices and 89% provided data at both 4 and 12 months. Participants had a mean age of 65 and 70% were male. Intervention participants attended 72% of group sessions. Based on last observations carried forward, the intervention group did not lose significantly more weight than controls at 12 months, although the difference was significant when co-interventions and co-morbidities that could affect weight were taken into account (Mean Diff 2.6Kg. 95%CI: −4.8 to −0.3, p = 0.025). No significant differences were found in physical activity.

Conclusions
The Waste the Waist intervention is deliverable in UK primary care, has acceptable recruitment and retention rates and produces promising preliminary weight loss results. Subject to refinement of the physical activity component, it is now ready for evaluation in a full-scale trial.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • weight loss
  • behaviour change
  • diet
  • physical activity
  • randomised controlled trial
  • pilot trial

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  • Waste the Waist

    Taylor, G. (PI), Gillison, F. (CoI), Greaves, C. (CoI) & Stathi, A. (CoI)

    National Institute for Health Research

    15/11/1014/11/13

    Project: Central government, health and local authorities

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