Long-term weight loss following a randomised controlled trial of a weight management programme for men delivered through professional football clubs: the Football Fans in Training follow-up study

Citation

Gray CM, Wyke S, Zhang R, Anderson AS, Barry S, Brennan G, Briggs A, Boyer N, Bunn C, Donnachie C, Grieve E, Kohli-Lynch C, Lloyd S, McConnachie A & Hunt K (2018) Long-term weight loss following a randomised controlled trial of a weight management programme for men delivered through professional football clubs: the Football Fans in Training follow-up study. Public Health Research, 6 (9), pp. 1-114. https://doi.org/10.3310/phr06090

Abstract
Background: Rising levels of obesity require interventions that support people in long-term weight loss. The Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme uses loyalty to football teams to engage men in weight loss. In 2011/12, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that the FFIT programme was effective in helping men lose weight up to 12 months. Objectives: To investigate the long-term weight, and other physical, behavioural and psychological outcomes up to 3.5 years after the start of the RCT; the predictors, mediators and men’s qualitative experiences of long-term weight loss; cost-effectiveness; and the potential for long-term follow-up via men’s medical records. Design: A mixed-methods, longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Thirteen professional Scottish football clubs from the RCT and 16 additional Scottish football clubs that delivered the FFIT programme in 2015/16. Participants: A total of 665 men who were aged 35–65 years at the RCT baseline measures and who consented to follow-up after the RCT (intervention group, n = 316; comparison group, n = 349), and 511 men who took part in the 2015/16 deliveries of the FFIT programme. Interventions: None as part of this study. Main outcome measures: Objectively measured weight change from the RCT baseline to 3.5 years. Results: In total, 488 out of 665 men (73.4%) attended 3.5-year measurements. Participants in the FFIT follow-up intervention group sustained a mean weight loss from baseline of 2.90 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78 to 4.02 kg; p 

Notes
Additional co-authors: Colin McCowan, Alice McLean, Nanette Mutrie

Journal
Public Health Research: Volume 6, Issue 9

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Professor Kate Hunt

Professor, Institute for Social Marketing