The social distancing and isolation measures imposed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic mean adults with overweight and obesity may be vulnerable to weight gain and the associated negative impacts on health. The SWiM-C study sought to find the best way to help people with overweight and obesity prevent weight gain and support good physical and mental health.
What treatments did we look at?
Half of the participants received a new web-based weight loss maintenance programme called “Supporting Weight Management” (SWiM). The website included weekly sessions in which participants will learn new skills and create healthy habits. It also includes a weight tracker to monitor weight over time and participants will receive remote support from a coach. The other half of participants received a booklet (via email) with advice on diet, physical activity and mental health. At the end of the study participants who received standard advice had the opportunity to try the SWiM programme, and those who received SWiM received the standard advice materials.
What did we hope to find out?
We looked at whether a new online self-help programme or standard advice is better at helping people to prevent weight gain and support their emotional wellbeing.
How did we do this?
We did this by running a research study (called a trial). We recruited participants and randomly assigned them into one of two groups: one group receives ‘SWiM’; and one group receives standard advice materials. We asked all participants to complete an online questionnaire at the beginning of the study and at 4 months so we could measure changes in weight and other outcomes. After the study ends, we also interviewed a small sample of participants over the telephone to find out about their experience of the SWiM programme and the study.
Who could take part?
Recruitment to the SWiM-C study has finished. Many thanks to everyone who contacted us to enquire about participating in this study, and enabled us to reach our recruitment target.
SWiM-C recruited adults (aged over 18 years) in the UK and Ireland with overweight/obesity and access to weighing scales at home.
If you would like to learn more about the SWiM-C study you can read the Participant Information Sheet below.
