Points-based physical activity: a novel approach to facilitate changes in body composition in inactive women with overweight and obesity

摘要

Physical activity (PA) interventions for the promotion of weight-management may benefit from increased choice and flexibility to overcome commonly-perceived barriers to PA. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel “points-based” approach to PA on body composition in inactive women, who are overweight or obese. Seventy-six overweight or obese, inactive women were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: ‘Points-based’ PA (PBPA; 30 “PA points”?week??1), Structured exercise (StructEx; 150?min moderate-intensity exercise?week??1) or control (CONT; continue habitual inactive lifestyle) for a 24-week intervention. PA points for activities were adapted from MET values, and 30 points was equivalent to 150?min of brisk walking. Measures of body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and anthropometry were obtained at weeks 0, 4, 12 and 24. Self-report activities were recorded weekly, with objective measures of PA (tri-axial accelerometry) and self-report measures of food intake obtained at weeks 0 and 24. Fifty-eight women completed the study and provided data for primary outcomes. Of these, n?=?41 and n?=?19 provided data for food intake and objectively assessed PA. Mixed-design ANOVAs demonstrated that those in PBPA achieved a significant weight-loss at 24?weeks of ??3.3?±?5.9?kg (??3.4?±?7.1%, p?=?0.004). Waist circumference was reduced in PBPA at 24?weeks (??2.8?±?4.6?cm), compared with CONT (+?2.1?±?6.6?cm, p?=?0.024). There was a trend for greater reductions in fat mass for those in PBPA vs. CONT (??2.3?±?4.6?kg vs. +?0.1?±?2.0?kg, p?=?0.075). Android fat was reduced in PBPA at both 12?weeks (??6.1?±?12.6%, p?=?0.005) and 24?weeks (??10.1?±?18.4%, p?=?0.005), while there was a trend for greater reductions in visceral adipose tissue in PBPA (??5.8?±?26.0%) vs. CONT at 24?weeks (+?7.8?±?18.3%, p?=?0.053). Body composition, body weight and waist circumference were unchanged in StructEx. There were trends for increases in light-activity and reductions in sedentary time in PBPA. There was a trend for a reduction in daily energy intake of ??445?±?564?kcal (p?=?0.074), and a significant reduction in daily fat intake (p?=?0.042) in PBPA. A “points-based” approach to physical activity appears to be an effective strategy for inducing modest reductions in body weight and body fat in inactive women with overweight and obesity. NCT02020239 . Registered 12th December 2013.