Pilot Study

A survey instrument was developed in 2000 and tested from September 2000 through June 2001. The survey instrument was designed to collect information on current eating and physical activity behavior. The participants were also asked to rate the importance of following specific strategies taught in LIFESTEPS during a weight loss effort and to rate their confidence in performing these behaviors. Eighteen LIFESTEPS Leaders and 133 program participants from a variety of geographic locations participated in this pilot. Pre- and post-treatment weights were also provided by the leaders for the participants who completed the surveys.

Results show:

• 50% of the participants that kept no record of food intake prior to the program were keeping a record at least 3-4 times per week at post-treatment and 32% were keeping a record daily.
• Weight losses average just under 1# per week.
• Positive increases in servings from the Grain, Fruit, Vegetable and Milk Groups.
• Positive decrease in servings from the Meat Group.
• A small decrease in servings of foods classified as “Others” or those high in fat or sugar.
• Time spent doing aerobic exercise increased. 10% of respondents increased from none to 1-3 hours per week, 16% increased from less than 30 minutes per week to 1-3 hours per week and 6% increased from 30-60 minutes per week to 1-3 hours per week.
• 53% did no strength training at either pre- or post-treatment; however, 10% did increase somewhat to less than 30 minutes per week and 9% increased to 30-60 minutes per week. Only 5% increased to 1-3 hours per week.

Because of the small sample, it wasn’t possible to determine statistical significance. However, trends can be examined. The data suggest that participants maintained and/or improved the nutritional quality of their diets during the program. This was in conjunction with an assumed decrease in calorie intake since weight loss did occur at an average of just under 1# per week. About a third of the respondents made increases in time spent doing aerobic activity while there were limited increases in strength training during the program.

Telephone Follow-up Indicates:
126 of the 133 participants in this study were reached by phone during the 6-9 months post program completion. They were asked to report only on their current weight. Weight maintainers were defined as those who stayed at their end of treatment weight or gained 5 pounds or less from their end of treatment weight. Losers were defined as those who lost any amount of weight post treatment and gainers were defined as those who had gained more than 5 pounds post treatment. Of the 126 surveyed, 116 were losers, 7 maintainers and 3 gainers.

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Updated December, 2010

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