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Table 1 Characteristics of intervention studies examining potential mediators/predictors of weight control, physical activity, and food intake (n = 35)

From: Successful behavior change in obesity interventions in adults: a systematic review of self-regulation mediators

Characteristics

Number of studies

Characteristics

Number of studies

Study design (n = 35)

 

Intervention (n = 35)

 

Trial

 

Aim

 

NCT

6

Weight loss

15

NRCT

1

Weight maintenance

6

RCT

28

Exercise adherence

3

Arms

 

Health promotion

8

1 arm

6

Other

2

2 arms

18

Theoretical grounds b

 

3 arms

8

SCT

23

4 or + arms

3

TTM

5

Sample size

 

SDT

3

<100

2

Other

8

100-199

12

N.R.

4

200-299

11

Intervention setting

 

≥300

10

University

15

  

Hospital/clinic

3

Participants (n = 35)

 

Exercise/fitness club

12

Gender

 

Community

3

Women only

13

Web

1

Both genders

22

Other

1

Mean age, years

 

Intervention length

 

25-44

23

<6 months

6

45-64

11

6-12 months

16

N.R.

1

12-24 months

12

BMI

 

≥24 months

1

25-29.9

2

Post-intervention follow-up (n = 11)

30-34.9

14

<6 months

1

35-39.9

4

6-12 months

5

≥40

8

12-24 months

4

N.R.

7

≥24 months

1

Characteristics

Number of studies

Characteristics

Number of studies

Mediation analysis (n = 10)

 

Outcomes

 

Type of test

 

Weight change (n = 26)

 

Regression-based

2

Short-term (<12 months)

9

P and H/bootstrap

4

Long-term (≥12 months)

17

SEM/bootstrap

4

  

Mediation approach (and criteria) a

Physical activity (n = 19)

 

Baron and Kenny

3

Short-term (<12 months)

11

MacKinnon et al.

7

Long-term (≥12 months)

8

Shrout and Bolger

2

Self-reported (MVPA)

15

MacArthur

1

Self-reported (LPA)

2

  

Self-reported (Energy Exp.)

1

Quality assessment score

Objectivec, d

4

Quality score (EPHPP tool; n = 35)

  

Weak

7

Food/energy intake (n = 11) e

 

Moderate

15

Short-term (<12 months)

7

Strong

13

Long-term (≥12 months)

4

Quality score (Rhodes tool; n = 10)

Total energy intake

3

Low

0

Fat/saturated fat

6

Moderate

10

Fruit/vegetable

7

High

0

Other (CH; protein)

1

  1. Notes: NCT, non-controlled trial; NRCT, non-randomized controlled trial (for example, a study comparing two interventions, but without a real control group); RCT, randomized controlled trial (Note: two studies referred to post hoc analyses of existing RCTs, for outcomes that were not planned originally); N.R., not reported; P and H, Preacher and Hayes mediation procedures; SEM, structural equation modeling; EPHPP, Effective Public Health Practice Project; SCT, socio-cognitive theory; TTM, transtheoretical model; SDT, self-determination theory; MVPA, moderate and vigorous physical activity; LPA, lifestyle physical activity; Energy Exp., energy expenditure. aTwo studies used more than one mediation approach. bSix studies used more than one theoretical framework. cObjective assessments included accelerometry (n = 1), pedometry (n = 1), and actual attendance to a fitness club (n = 2). dTwo of the studies also assessed self-reported physical activity. eThree studies assessed more than one outcome.
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BMC Medicine

ISSN: 1741-7015

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