Volunteers wanted for Weight Loss Study

We are looking for females aged between 35 and 65 wanting to lose weight.

The aim of this study is to compare two different types of diet coaching to assess the best type of support for weight loss. These results will be compared to a control group (Exercise only) who have no dietary intervention.

Group 1 Exercise only - control group
Group 2 Exercise, Dietary Intervention and Tele coaching by phone - 3 times per week at pre-scheduled times
Group 3 Exercise, Dietary Intervention and Face-to-face coaching in the centre - 3 times per week on a drop in basis

Volunteers can choose their preferred group (1, 2 or 3 above):

Volunteers in either of the two coaching groups (2 or 3) receive a healthy family-friendly diet program designed by a dietitian and based on everyday supermarket foods and special between-meal snacks. They will also receive additional printed and audio CD resources.

All volunteers (Groups 1, 2 & 3) need to be willing to:

Take a short health survey at the beginning and at the end of study.
Participate in 30-minute supervised moderate exercise sessions - 3 per week in the centre. Group 2 (tele coaching by phone) will have the option of exercising in the centre or from home. This may suit women in outlying areas.

All volunteers will receive initial exercise instruction to ensure that they learn how to do all exercises safely. This will be done at their nearest Healthy Inspirations centre at no cost during the study.

For those who choose to participate in one of the two coaching groups (2 or 3) the normal enrolment and program fees (typically $289) are fully subsidised (= no cost). However there is a nominal weekly contribution to cover the phone coaching sessions (3 a week at $19.95 per week) or face-to-face coaching sessions (3 a week at $29.95 per week). Volunteers have the choice of paying in advance, or by weekly direct debit which carries a $10 initial set up fee.

Participants will also have the option of purchasing calorie-controlled, protein-enhanced between-meal snacks at bulk prices.

More About the Study

Why any charge?
Previous weight loss studies have assessed programs that are fully subsidised versus those with a nominal contribution. They showed that volunteers in fully subsidised studies had marginal (if any) weight change. This could be for a variety of reasons including volunteers with a low readiness to change deliberately choosing no-cost studies.

However, it is important to have a control group that does the same exercise program as the study groups but with no dietary intervention. Control group volunteers (Exercise only) do not make any financial contribution.

All participants will be new to the exercise program as we wish to monitor the critical initial period in the weight loss journey. For this reason, the study volunteers cannot include existing Healthy Inspirations members.

The weight loss study period will be over 4 weeks. During the study period volunteers may experience weight loss of up to 4 kilos.

The study will enable the volunteers (groups 2 and 3) to experience a comprehensively supported lifestyle approach to weight loss and ongoing weight maintenance.

Volunteers can start at any time during March 2010 as it is not required that all volunteers start and finish at exactly the same time.

All volunteers will complete a health screening questionnaire and informed consent form.

Why only 4 weeks?
Healthy Inspirations does not believe that lasting weight loss change occurs with short-term programs. The aim of this short-term program is simply to assess the weight loss effectiveness of high frequency (3 a week) phone coaching versus the proven outcomes of high frequency (3 a week) face to face coaching. We believe that 4 weeks will be adequate time to make this assessment.

For registration information please contact the manager at the nearest participating centre (list below).

Armidale NSW (02) 6771 5001
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/armidale

Balcatta WA (08) 9240 6566
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/balcatta

Joondalup WA (08) 9301 2188
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/joondalup

Mandurah WA (08) 9581 8077
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/mandurah

Cairns QLD (07) 4039 4902
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/cairns

Tauranga NZ (07) 5794 321
www.healthyinspirations.co.nz/locations/tauranga

Melton VIC (03) 9743 6559
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/melton

Sale VIC (03) 5143 2166
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/sale

Mitcham SA (08) 8373 4005
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/mitcham

Frewville SA (08) 8338 7279
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/frewville

Prospect SA (08) 8342 4938
www.healthyinspirations.com.au/locations/prospect