https://doi.org/10.37527/2021.71.S1
1Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, México, 2Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, México, 3Centro de Promoción de Salud Nutricional, Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, México, 4Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, México, 5Unidad de Investigación en Diabetes, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C., Hermosillo, México.
Background and objective. The best method for weight loss are intensive lifestyle interventions (ILIs); however, they are not readily accessible to most Mexicans in a country where obesity is a public health problem. The use of new technologies could increase the accessibility of ILIs in Mexico. We evaluated an Online ILI (OILI) efficacy for weight loss in Mexican adults with overweight or obesity at 3 and 6 months compared to a wait-list control group.
Methods. Randomised controlled trial with 2 groups (n=62). The primary outcome was the change in body weight at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were changes in other anthropometrical parameters, quality of life (SF-36) and depression (BDI) at 3 and 6 months, and change in biochemical parameters at 3 months. Statistical analyses were by intention to treat.
Results. Participants were mostly female (81%), with an average age of 31.5 ± 8.6 years and a BMI of 33.4 ± 4.85 kg/m2. Retention rates were 77% and 60% at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Differences between groups in weight were -3.75 kg (95%CI -5.34 to -2.15) at 3 months and -4.50 kg (95%CI -6.66 to -2.33) at 6 months), favoring the OILI group.
Conclusions. The evaluated OILI was efficacious for weight loss in the studied population at 3 and 6 months, which indicates OILIs can help the accessibility of efficacious obesity treatments in Mexico.
Keywords: obesity, weight loss, intensive lifestyle interventions.