BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability among the elderly and is often exacerbated by obesity. Research supports weight loss and exercise therapy as key strategies for managing knee OA-related disability. Concurrently, telemedicine is becoming a popular healthcare approach. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an 8-week tele-education programme\'s impact on weight control and knee OA outcomes.
METHODS: Participants with knee OA and obesity were included. Baseline data on pain (VAS index), physical activity (GPAQ questionnaire), and quality of life (EQ5D and KOOS questionnaires) were collected. Performance tests, including the 30-second Chair Stand test (30CST) and the Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG), were recorded. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving oral advice on diet and exercise, and an intervention group receiving educational videos on nutrition, lifestyle changes, physical activity, individualised exercises, and psychosocial support. Evaluations were repeated after 8 weeks.
RESULTS: Data from 25 of 30 participants were analysed. In the intervention group, body composition, waist, and abdominal circumference decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The KOOS questionnaire showed significant improvements in pain, activity, and daily tasks (p = 0.00). The EQ5D questionnaire and health satisfaction also showed positive results within the intervention group (p = 0.00) and between groups (p = 0.008). The pain index improved significantly within (p = 0.00) and between groups (p = 0.02). Functional test results were significant within the intervention group (p = 0.00) and between groups (p = 0.017 for 30CST and p = 0.004 for TUG).
CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week tele-education programme for weight control and exercise therapy in knee OA patients significantly improved body composition, quality of life, and functional performance. Given the costs of obesity and knee OA on both people and the health system, tele-education can be a cost-effective treatment strategy.

Effective weight management interventions involve a combination of behavioral strategies focusing on dietary changes. Tracing the change through mobile apps has been proven to be a valuable platform for facilitating weight management in many countries. However, the effectiveness of mobile app-based dietary intervention on weight management in Taiwan remains to be determined. By using the designated mobile app, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of the diet intervention, which is based on a 2:1:1 portion control plate and a flexible low-carbohydrate (FLC) diet. This 8-week retrospective cohort study involved 10,297 participants who were divided into two groups: the intervention group (joined an 8-week diet intervention program with the daily diet record assessed by registered dietitians) and the control group (voluntarily using the app without instructional materials or coaching). After eight weeks of intervention, the intervention group showed a higher weight loss percentage (-4.78% vs. -1.54%), body mass index (BMI) (-1.26 kg/m2 vs. 0.69 kg/m2), and diet record completeness (73.52% vs. 28.91%) compared with the control group. With respect to gender, male participants showed higher baseline weight and higher weight loss (-6.02%) in the intervention group. In the intervention group, 2871 participants (33.4%) lost less than 4% of their weight, 5071 participants (58.9%) lost 4-8% of their body weight, and 662 participants (7.7%) lost >8% of their weight. Compared to the low-effectiveness group (weight lost <4%), the high-effectiveness group (weight lost >8%) had a significantly higher diet record completeness (91.61 ± 15.99 vs. 55.81 ± 32.92), dietary compliance (green light %) (88.93 ± 9.9 vs. 77.75 ±17.5), protein intake % (26.34 ± 2.85 vs. 23.49 ± 3.56), and fat intake % (49.66 ± 6.36 vs. 44.05 ± 7.37). Most importantly, the high-effectiveness group had a lower carbohydrate intake % (24.1 ± 7.86 vs. 32.46 ± 9.61). The results remained significant after being stratified by gender. This study found that the use of online applications plus the intervention of dietitians is beneficial for short-term weight loss. The composition of nutrients and dietary compliance also significantly impacted weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to describe the experiences and perceptions of caregivers who participated in a community systems navigator intervention that addressed unmet social needs.
METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study with caregivers of children enrolled in a clinical trial addressing unmet social needs of families with children cared for in a tertiary pediatric weight management clinic, through community systems navigation. Participants were asked open-ended questions related to perceptions of social needs screening in clinical settings. Interviews were recorded and analysed using Braun and Clarke\'s six-phase approach to thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Ten parent participants were interviewed. Social needs screening perception and acceptability varied between participants. Social needs screening was comfortable for most but stressful for others. Participants noted that trusting relationships promote comfort with sharing social needs information, and this data should be shared on the electronic health record if accurate and purposeful. They found the online screening tool convenient but thought it could also limit opportunities to elaborate. Some participants noted the intervention of community systems navigation helpful; however, others described the need for more tailored resources.
CONCLUSIONS: Screening for unmet social needs in clinical settings is complex and should be family centred, including the consideration of the mode of screening, data sharing in the electronic health record and ensuing interventions. Perspectives of families should drive the design of future larger scale community navigation interventions to address unmet social needs in clinical settings.

BACKGROUND: Partner support is associated with better weight loss outcomes in observational studies, but randomized trials show mixed results for including partners. Unclear is whether teaching communication skills to couples will improve weight loss in a person attempting weight loss (index participant).
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of a partner-assisted intervention versus participant-only weight management program on 24-month weight loss.
METHODS: This community-based study took place in Madison, WI. Index participants were eligible if they met obesity guideline criteria to receive weight loss counseling, were aged 18-74 years, lived with a partner, and had no medical contraindications to weight loss; partners were aged 18-74 years and not underweight. Couples were randomized 1:1 to a partner-assisted or participant-only intervention. Index participants in both arms received an evidence-based weight management program. In the partner-assisted arm, partners attended half of the intervention sessions, and couples were trained in communication skills. The primary outcome was index participant weight at 24 months, assessed by masked personnel; secondary outcomes were 24-month self-reported caloric intake and average daily steps assessed by an activity tracker. General linear mixed models were used to compare group differences in these outcomes following intent-to-treat principles.
RESULTS: Among couples assigned to partner-assisted (n = 115) or participant-only intervention (n = 116), most index participants identified as female (67%) and non-Hispanic White (87%). Average baseline age was 47.27 years (SD 11.51 years) and weight was 106.55 kg (SD 19.41 kg). The estimated mean 24-month weight loss was similar in the partner-assisted (2.66 kg) and participant-only arms (2.89 kg) (estimated mean difference, 0.23 kg [95% CI, -1.58, 2.04 kg], p=0.80). There were no differences in 24-month average daily caloric intake (estimated mean difference 50 cal [95% CI: -233, 132 cal], p=0.59) or steps (estimated mean difference 806 steps [95% CI: -1675, 64 steps], p=0.07). The percentage of participants reporting an adverse event with at least possible attribution to the intervention did not differ by arm (partner-assisted: 9%, participant-only, 3%, p = 0.11).
CONCLUSIONS: Partner-assisted and individual weight management interventions led to similar outcomes in index participants.
BACKGROUND: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03801174, January 11, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Digitally delivered weight loss programmes can provide a convenient, potentially cheaper, and scalable treatment option for people who may need to lose weight. However, outcomes are often inferior to in-person interventions in the long-term. This trial will use principles from the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) framework to test whether it can enhance the effectiveness of a commercial digital behavioural weight loss programme. This trial aims to identify an optimised combination of four intervention components to enhance weight loss over a 24-week period. We will also explore which components contribute to improvements in participant retention and engagement with the programme.
METHODS: Approximately 1400 adults with a BMI > 21 kg/m2 will be enrolled and randomised to one of 16 experimental conditions in a 24 factorial cluster design. The trial will test four intervention components: an introductory video call with the health coach, drop-in webchat sessions with the health coach, goal setting statements, and food diary review and feedback. All participants will receive the core digital behavioural weight loss programme and up to four new intervention components. Participation in the trial will last for 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be weight change at 16 weeks. Other outcomes, measured at 4, 16, and 24 weeks, include programme drop-out and engagement (number of interactions with the three main app functions). Fidelity and acceptability will be assessed using data on component adherence and self-report questionnaires. Decision-making for the enhanced programme will be based on components that contribute to at least a minimal improvement in weight loss, defined as ≥ 0.75kg, alone or in combination with other components.
CONCLUSIONS: The factorial design is an efficient way to test the efficacy of behavioural components alone, or in combination, to improve the effectiveness of digital weight loss programmes. This trial will test the implementation of the MOST framework in an industry setting, using routinely collected data, which may provide a better way to refine and evaluate these types of interventions in a model of continuous service improvement.
BACKGROUND: Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN14407868. Registered 5 January 2024, 10.1186/ISRCTN14407868.

Dietary and physical activity interventions through smartphone healthcare applications (apps) have recently surged in popularity as effective methods for weight loss. However, the specific factors contributing to successful weight loss remain uncertain. We conducted an analysis of baseline characteristics and app usage frequencies over three months among 68 Japanese adults with overweight and obesity who were assigned to the intervention group in a previous randomized controlled trial. Logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association (OR: 0.248; p = 0.018) between having a walking habit at baseline and successful weight loss, defined as a 3% reduction in initial weight. Additionally, slower walking speeds and family medical history were identified as potential predictors of successful weight loss. These findings offer insights into the profile of individuals who achieve success in weight loss through our smartphone app, providing valuable guidance for the development of future healthcare apps.

BACKGROUND: Behavioural weight loss programmes are generally accepted as being beneficial in reducing cardiometabolic risk and improving patient-reported outcomes. However, prospective data from large real-world cohorts are scarce concerning the mid-term and long-term impact of such interventions. The objective of this large prospective cohort study (n>10 000 participants) is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the standardised Nutritional and Psycho-Behavioural Rehabilitation programme (RNPC Programme) in reducing the percentage of subjects requiring insulin and/or other diabetes drug therapy, antihypertensive drugs, lipid-lowering therapies and continuous positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea after the end of the intervention. The rate of remission of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnoea will also be prospectively assessed.
METHODS: This is a prospective multicentre observational study carried out in 92 RNPC centres in France. Participants will follow the standardised RNPC Programme. The prospective dataset will include clinical, anthropometric and biochemical data, comorbidities, medications, body composition, patient-reported outcome questionnaire responses, sleep study data with objective measurements of sleep apnoea severity and surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk (ie, blood pressure and arterial stiffness). About 10 000 overweight or obese participants will be included over 2 years with a follow-up duration of up to 5 years.
BACKGROUND: Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the Ethics Committee (Comité de protection des personnes Sud-Est I) of Saint-Etienne University Hospital, France (SI number: 23.00174.000237). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-review journals, presented at conferences and inform the design of a future randomised controlled trial in the specific population identified as good responders to the RNPC Programme.
BACKGROUND: NCT05857319.

BACKGROUND: The period between cancer diagnosis and surgery presents an opportunity for trials to assess the feasibility of behaviour change interventions. However, this can be a worrying time for patients and may hinder recruitment. We describe the perspectives of patients with excess weight awaiting colorectal cancer surgery about their recruitment into a randomised trial of a prehabilitation weight loss intervention.
METHODS: We interviewed the first 26 participants from the 8 recruitment sites across England in the \'CARE\' feasibility trial. Participants were randomised into either usual care (n = 13) or a low-energy nutritionally-replete total diet replacement programme with weekly remote behavioural support by a dietitian (n = 13). The semi-structured interviews occurred shortly after recruitment and the questions focused on participants\' recollections of being recruited into the trial. We analysed data rapidly and then used a mind-mapping technique to develop descriptive themes. Themes were agreed by all co-authors, including a person with lived-experience of colorectal surgery.
RESULTS: Participants had a mean body mass index (± SD) of 38 kg/m2 (± 6), age of 50 years (± 12), and 42% were female. People who participated in the trial were motivated by the offer of structured weight loss support that could potentially help them improve their surgical outcomes. However, participants also had concerns around the potential unpalatability of the intervention diet and side effects. Positive attitudes of clinicians towards the trial facilitated recruitment but participants were disappointed when they were randomised to usual care due to clinical teams\' overemphasis on the benefits of losing weight.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients were motivated to take part by the prospect of improved surgical outcomes. However, the strong preference to be allocated to the intervention suggests that balanced communication of equipoise is crucial to minimise disappointment from randomisation to usual care and differential dropout from the trial.
BACKGROUND: ISRCTN39207707, Registration date 13/03/2023.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether the addition of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during weight loss would enhance cardiometabolic health improvements in patients with obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
RESULTS: Patients with overweight or obesity, pre-diabetes and moderatesevere OSA were randomised to receive CPAP therapy with a weight loss programme (CPAP+WL) or a weight loss programme alone (WL alone).
METHODS: 2-hour glucose assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test.
RESULTS: 24 hr blood pressure, body composition (DEXA) and fasting blood markers. 17 patients completed 3-month follow-up assessments (8 CPAP+WL and 9 WL alone). Overall, participants in both groups lost ∼12 kg which reduced polysomnography determined OSA severity by ∼45 %. In the CPAP+WL group, CPAP use (compliance 5.29 hrs/night) did not improve any outcome above WL alone. There was no improvement in 2-hour glucose in either group. However, in the pooled (n = 17) analysis there were overall improvements in most outcomes including insulin sensitivity (.000965 units, p = .008), sleep systolic BP (- 16.2 mmHg, p = .0003), sleep diastolic BP (-9.8 mmHg, p = 0.02), wake diastolic BP (- 4.3 mmHg, p = .03) and sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Score -3.2, p = .0003). In addition, there were reductions in glucose area under the curve (-230 units, p = .009), total (-0.86 mmol/L, p = 0.006) and LDL cholesterol (-0.58 mmol/L, p = 0.007), triglycerides (-0.75 mmol/L, p = 0.004), fat mass (-7.6 kg, p < .0001) and abdominal fat (-310 cm3, p < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss reduced OSA and improved sleepiness and cardiometabolic health. These improvements were not further enhanced by using CPAP. Results suggest weight loss should be the primary focus of treatment for patients with OSA and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore the influence of diet and physical activity (PA) changes on bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) alterations in adolescents with obesity undergoing a weight loss program.
METHODS: Six-month longitudinal data from 71 adolescents (aged 15.1 [± 1.6] years; 57.7% girls) with a BMI z-score of 3.03 (± 0.78), previously recruited for the PAC-MAnO trial, were analyzed using Generalized Estimation Equations for over time changes and linear regressions with BMC, BMD and BMD z-score as dependent variables, adjusting for confounders (including type of exercise- aerobic vs. combined).
RESULTS: Adjusting for confounders, changes in carbohydrate (CH) and protein content showed to positively and negatively predict BMD z-score variance, respectively (β = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.04, p < .001); β = -0.57, 95%CI: -0.06, -0.03, p < .001), yet no associations were found between PA and bone-related parameters. Combined exercise showed better results on BMC compared to aerobic exercise (β = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.13, p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS: Increased CH content, instead of protein, may be associated with BMD improvements in adolescents with obesity. Type of exercise may moderate the impact of PA on bone health.
BACKGROUND: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02941770. What is Known • Adolescents with obesity may be at a higher risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis • Obesity and inadequate diet and physical activity (PA) may have an adverse effect on bone metabolism What is New • Improvements in adiposity and muscle mass and increased diet carbohydrate content are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) improvements • Type of exercise (i.e., combined training vs. aerobic) may moderate the impact of PA on BMD, and calcium intake may mediate this impact.