Football Fans in Training. Can football clubs of the German Bundesliga motivate their fans to lose weight?

摘要

Background. The prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases in Germany is rising. Although men are exposed to higher risks, they do not attend weight reduction programs. For years the Scottish Premier League's project Football Fans in Training (FFIT) program has successfully motivated men to lose weight. Objectives. To examine if the concept of a gender-oriented weight reduction program for men can successfully be implemented into the German Football Bundesliga. Methods. By adapting FFIT and collaborating with German Football Clubs of the Bundesliga, we aim to encourage overweight male football fans aged 35-65 to participate in a 12-week course, taking place in the very heart of their favorite team. The clubs provide their training grounds and a coach, take on the recruitment and arrange visits by prominent players for further motivation. Goals are sustainable weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. Results. Twelve months after initiation the professional clubs 1. FC Nurnberg, Bayer Leverkusen, Darmstadt 98, Eintracht Braunschweig, FC Ingolstadt, Hertha BSC, Holstein Kiel, Mainz 05, RB Leipzig and Schalke 04 have been recruited to offer FFIT to their fans. At each club, the program has been well accepted by the fans. Preliminary results show a high attendance and success rate among the participants. Discussion. German Football Bundesliga clubs can motivate their male fans to participate in a weight reduction program. The setting and emotional attachment to their favorite team seem to be the most effective keys to success.