Recent Research

Ten Top Tips

Research into Ten Top Tips was undertaken at University College London and funded by the Medical Research Council's National Prevention Research Initiative. A large randomised controlled trial of over 500 patients from 14 GP practices across England showed that those who received the Ten Top Tips leaflet lost significantly more weight than those who received usual care over the short term (3 months). Furthermore, patients who received the leaflet reported a greater increase in the automaticity the target behaviours, which suggests Ten Top Tips was more effective at establishing new habits.

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UPBEAT and LEAP

Being overweight during pregnancy brings health risks for the mother and unborn child. Weight Concern provided expertise for a large trial led by St Thomas’ Hospital and funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The trial was testing out a group programme for women to support changes to eating and physical activity in order to improve health outcomes. Weight Concern was instrumental in producing the materials for health trainers who delivered the programme and for training and supervising them throughout the study. The study showed that women who took part in the groups had better eating and activity habits at the end of the study compared to those not taking part in groups. Weight Concern is currently involved with a second study to disseminate the programme in a community setting.

 

Shape Up LD

We have recently adapted Shape up for people with learning disabilities - 'Shape Up LD'. We have 2 versions of this Shape Up; 1 for adults and 1 for young people. A pilot randomised controlled trial funded found that adults with LD were enthusiastic about the programme, as were carers and trained facilitators from LD services. Those who participated in the programme were lighter than those who received usual care at the end of the programme, and this benefit appeared to continue even after the groups had finished. Camden & Islington Public Health are currently running groups with young people with LD in local schools.

 

Shape Up FCT

'Shape-Up following cancer treatment' is a new version of the original Shape-Up program adapted for people who have completed treatment for cancer. The program has been designed with input from this population and has been piloted in a randomised controlled trial involving women with a diagnosis of endometrial (womb) cancer . The results have been very promising and suggest the program is feasible, acceptable, and helps these women improve the quality of their diet.