Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project

Clare Robertson; Alison Avenell; Charles Boachie; Fiona Stewart; Daryll Archibald; Flora Douglas; Pat Hoddinott; Edwin van Teijlingen; Dwayne Boyers

doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2015.04.005

Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project

Clare Robertson, Alison Avenell, Charles Boachie, Fiona Stewart, Daryll Archibald, Flora Douglas, Pat Hoddinott, Edwin van Teijlingen, Dwayne Boyers

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

We systematically reviewed the randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence for long-term (≥12 months) weight management interventions for obese men in contrast to women to help understand whether programmes should be designed differently for men.

We searched 11 databases up to October 2014. Twenty-two RCTs reported data separately for men and women in weight loss or weight maintenance interventions.

We found men were under-represented in RCTs of weight loss interventions open to both sexes. Men comprised 36% of participants (4771 from 13,305 participants). Despite this, men were 11% (95% CI 8–14%, p < 0.001) more likely to be trial completers compared to women. The trials did not report service user consultation and none were designed to investigate whether men and women responded differently to given interventions. Our meta-analysis of 13 trials showed no significant difference in weight loss between men and women, either for weight loss in kg (p = 0.90) or percentage weight loss (p = 0.78), although men tended to lose more weight with intensive low fat reducing diets, with or without meal replacements, and structured physical activity/exercise programmes than women. Orlistat was less beneficial for men for weight maintenance. Individual support and tailoring appeared more helpful for men than women.

We found evidence that men and women respond differently to, and have different preferences for, varying types of weight management programme. We suggest that it is important to understand men's views on weight loss, as this is likely to also improve the uptake and effectiveness of programmes for men.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	70-84
Number of pages	15
Journal	Obesity research & clinical practice
Volume	10
Issue number	1
Early online date	30 Apr 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2015.04.005
Publication status	Published - Jan 2016

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements
This review is one of a series of systematic reviews for the ROMEO project (Review Of MEn and Obesity), funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Health Technology Assessment Programme (NIHR HTA Project 09/127/01; Systematic reviews and integrated report on the quantitative and qualitative evidence base for the management of obesity in men http://www.hta.ac.uk/2545). The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Health. HERU, HSRU and NMAHP are funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates. The authors accept full responsibility for this publication. We would also like to thank the Men's Health Forums of Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales: Tim Street, Paula Carroll, Colin Fowler and David Wilkins. We also thank Kate Jolly for further information about the Lighten Up trial.

Keywords

weight loss
weight maintenance
men and women
systematic review

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Cite this

Robertson, C., Avenell, A., Boachie, C., Stewart, F., Archibald, D., Douglas, F., Hoddinott, P., van Teijlingen, E., & Boyers, D. (2016). Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project. Obesity research & clinical practice, 10(1), 70-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2015.04.005

Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project. / Robertson, Clare ; Avenell, Alison; Boachie, Charles et al.
In: Obesity research & clinical practice, Vol. 10, No. 1, 01.2016, p. 70-84.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Robertson, C , Avenell, A, Boachie, C, Stewart, F, Archibald, D, Douglas, F, Hoddinott, P, van Teijlingen, E & Boyers, D 2016, 'Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project', Obesity research & clinical practice, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 70-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2015.04.005

Robertson C , Avenell A, Boachie C, Stewart F, Archibald D, Douglas F et al. Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project. Obesity research & clinical practice. 2016 Jan;10(1):70-84. Epub 2015 Apr 30. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2015.04.005

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Should weight loss and maintenance programmes be designed differently for men? A systematic review of long-term randomised controlled trials presenting data for men and women: The ROMEO project

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this