Lifestyle Interventions for Obesity

This assignment delves into the realm of lifestyle interventions as a means to combat obesity. It examines the effectiveness and suitability of various techniques employed in addressing this global health concern. The research utilizes reliable measures and tests to provide accurate insights into the impact of these interventions. Ultimately, it underscores the individual's agency and resourcefulness in navigating towards healthier lifestyles.

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Critique Appraisal
Table of Contents
Title and Abstract....................................................................................................................................3
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3
Evaluation against critical appraisal tool.................................................................................................4
Internet based coaching.......................................................................................................................5
Mobile based Intervention...................................................................................................................6
Face to face group intervention...........................................................................................................7
Control Group.....................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................9
References.............................................................................................................................................10

Critique Appraisal
Title and Abstract
The title of the report is “The effectiveness and applicability of different lifestyle
interventions for enhancing wellbeing.” The paper evaluates the effectiveness and
applicability of the various intervention techniques that are used to improve lifestyle
for people with obesity. People with metabolic syndrome and psychological distress
are subjected to a similar program for a particular period of time to determine how thr
various intervention techniques affect them. The intervention techniques that are
evaluated in this paper include; evaluation against critical appraisal tools, internet
based coaching, mobile based intervention, face to face group intervention and control
groups.
A sample of 339 respondents was chosen randomly from a population of 650 people.
Various tests are conducted to measure the effectiveness of the intervention
techniques identified. The report evaluates the article and determines strengths and
weaknesses of the report and the methods used in arriving at the results and
conclusions.
Introduction
From the definition by World Health Organization (WHO),obesity is defined as the
accumulation of excess fat in the body. This excess fat may have an effect on the
functions of the body. Obesity is defined by comparing with the Body Mass Index of
a person. BMI is an index that is determined by dividing the weight of an individual
in Kg by their height in m2. When a person has a BMI greater than 30,they are
classified as being obese. If the BMI is greater than 25 but less than 30,they are
classified as being overweight. Statistics from the WHO indicate that in the year
2016, more than 1.9 billion people aged above 18 years were overweight (World
Health Organisation, 2016). Of these, 650 million were obese. Statistics also indicate
that obesity has tripled since the year 1975 (Jackson, Kirschbaum,& Steptoe, 2017).
There has been a huge discussion however of the suitability of BMI as a measure of

Critique Appraisal
obesity. Some scholars have argued that weight and height of an individual alone are
not capable of defining whether a person is obese or not. However, it still remains the
most popular and commonly used measure of obesity and being obese.
The objectives of this report are to analyze the research paper and identify the
weaknesses and strengths of the paper. The professional research done by the
researcher is also evaluated in this report. Evaluation is done against critical appraisal
tools, internet based coaching, and mobile based evaluation. The applicability of the
method of face to face intervention is also evaluated in this critical review paper.
Evaluation against critical appraisal tool
The research aimed at investigating the effect of three intervention techniques on
people with psychological disorders and metabolic syndrome. The CONSORT
appraisal tool is the critical appraisal tool used to carry out the critical evaluation on
this paper. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trial statement is a detailed
document that outlines the explanation of the randomized controlled trials results
(Dubois, Gutierrez& Lenoir-Wijnkoop, 2016).
The paper identifies diet and nutrition as the major cause of obesity. The eating habits
of a person contribute greatly to their health in terms of being obese or overweight.
The paper indicates that the food intake of an individual determines the amount of
excess fat that accumulates in the body. I agree with the methods used in the
collection of data for the study. The participants for the study were recruited using
advertisement in local dailies. This method is very appropriate since if offers the
entire population under review a chance to participate in the study. Tests were done to
select people who were qualified for the research. This reduced the probability of the
final results being biased is very low. Evidence based technique were used to evaluate
the effectiveness and the appropriateness of the intervention techniques used for
people with obesity. Tests were done to examine people who had chronic diseases in
the population. The study was also conducted in three cities. This means the data
collected would reflect the factors and conditions prevalent in different areas and
hence making the study more reliable (Kiess,Wabitsch, Maffeis& Sharma, 2015). The
population was subjected to a 12 week program where the various intervention
techniques were used. The methods of data analysis used in this study are very

Critique Appraisal
appropriate and they provide important insights into the appropriateness and
effectiveness of the intervention methods.
Internet based coaching
Internet based coaching was conducted for a period of 12 weeks. The population
selected for research is exposed to given set of conditions which help the researcher to
obtain the desired results from the study. The intervention consists is about assessing
the psychological issues and behaviors ad lifestyle that affects the health of a human
being. Each program under the internet based coaching has a different message. The
life expectancy of participants, risk of diabetes and heart diseases is also estimated.
The study has identified important factors that determine whether a person becomes
overweight or not. This method is used by the participants of the research by
searching important information regarding obesity (Institute of Medicine & Glickman,
2012). The participants of the study are expected to use the information in the internet
to find the ways in which they can be able to lose weight and become healthier. Some
of the factors that have been evaluated in the study include; weight management,
healthy diet, exercise, stress and life management, sleep improvement, alcohol use
and management as well as cessation. Internet based coaching provides important
information for coaching the population under study on proper nutrition that helps in
weight management, how to avoid alcohol consumption and addiction (Goodman &
Fuller, 2011). Health check feedback is conducted to determine which of the
intervention methods work best. The participants of the study are taught on stress
management techniques. The stress management techniques that the participants are
subjected to are intended to help reduce the impact that stress has on weight gain and
obesity. Some of the actions and activities that help in managing stress include intense
exercises, forgiveness, having enough leisure time and proper methods of conflict
resolution. The following is a diagram showing an effective way to warn users of
risks in the paths they decide to follow.

Critique Appraisal
Many authors recommend that participants need to set themselves targets when they
start using the internet coaching intervention technique to help change lifestyle.
Continuous evaluation should also be done to measure the level of progress achieved
over a period of time. (Branca, Nikogosian& Lobstein, 2007) argues that participants
in such a research need to ensure that the techniques used have a positive impact.
Otherwise they should make necessary adjustments and changes to ensure that their
lifestyles are able to change and they become healthier. An article by (Blackstone,
2016) argues that exercises are one of the most effective intervention technique to
help improve the lifestyle of an individual. The article argues that exercises help in
losing weight and in managing stress and hence helping to deal with obesity. Internet
lessons can provide information on the exercises that are important in helping to deal
with obesity.
Mobile based Intervention
Mobile based intervention is also used as an intervention technique for improving
lifestyle to prevent and deal with obesity. The principles of acceptance and
commitment therapy were used as the basis of undertaking this program. Acceptance
and commitment is a form of counselling that is almost similar to cognitive behavior
therapy. Various psychological intervention techniques that use acceptance and
mindfulness are used for this technique. In the research by the authors, the

Critique Appraisal
participants of the study were given smart phones that had an application called Ovia.
The application is designed to help in training people on mental wellness. The app is
designed in such a manner that it is able to cater for the psychological and
physiological needs of an individual. The application has four different paths of
intervention and they include; Mindful mind, Wise Mind, Values, and Healthy Body.
The core processes of Acceptance, Commitment, and Therapy are mindfulness mind,
a wise mind, and values (Green, Sim& Breiner, 2013). The application has about 46
exercises in text and audio and they exclude physical activity and diet. An individual
can choose one of the paths depending on their individual needs. An individual with
obesity can choose the path of a healthy body. The ACT app has received very
positive reviews in the Google play section where customers are allowed to rate
products. More than 60% of the people who rated the application gave it a 5 star
rating. This shows that the application is very effective for users’ psychologically and
physiologically. The other strength of this technique is that it is evolving over time
and it has undergoing significant improvements which will make it adaptable to the
individual needs of users. Allow time and space for unpleasant thoughts and feelings
of an individual and then dealing with them in a manner that the person will not be
affected psychologically. The intervention technique is very good since it helps in
avoiding stress and promoting physical exercises. Smart-phones are also widely used
and hence many people have access to them. At any time, an individual can decide to
use the application and follow the path unlike the other intervention techniques which
are more complicated and more involving.
The shortcoming of this technique is that it emphasis on the psychological aspect of
dealing with obesity and improving lifestyle of an individual. The technique fails to
address the factors of nutrition and how it affects the lifestyle of people with obesity.
This is despite the fact that most of the research findings indicate nutrition as a major
intervention in improving the lifestyle of people with obesity. The ACT application
does not also offer a path for physical exercises which are also very critical towards
lifestyle improvement.
Face to face group intervention
The intervention technique is composed of six groups for a period of 8 weeks. Each
section was supposed to last 90 minutes. The face to face intervention method was
applied by ensuring each group had between 6 and 12 participants in order to ensure

Critique Appraisal
that the groups were not overcrowded to the extent that it would become difficult for
the participants to learn. There were also psychologists who acted as coaches for the
groups. This is an important strength since it will ensure that the participants have
people with deep knowledge of obesity intervention techniques as well as people who
understand psychology to guide them.
The advantage of face to face intervention is that each participant can be able to learn
since they can observe how each user handles different problems. The users can be
able to gain motivation by observing others overcome challenges and this helps them
to solve their own problems. In addition to this, group interaction helps the people to
share different experiences (Green, Sim& Breiner, 2013). This is very important
psychologically since participants in the group are able to realize that there are people
undergoing worse situations and hence they become more positive and hence
relieving stress.
The fact that face to face therapy is done in groups makes it economical for the
participants. This is because the cost of coaching all the participants is pooled together
and they are able to shoulder the burden of the cost as a group rather and individually.
According to an article by (Watson, 2014), face to face intervention has a very huge
impact in helping to change and improve lifestyles. The author narrates how he had
trouble in attending the group therapies to help in dealing with issues of smoking. He
says that time,he realized how the honesty and narrations of the group members
helped him to quit the smoking habit and how this helped to change his lifestyle.
Control Group
The control groups consist of people who were involved in the research but did not
participate in any of the groups and did not use any intervention technique.
The effectiveness of the intervention in this case depends on individual`s will power,
resourcefulness and their willingness to change their lifestyle. Despite the fact that
intervention techniques discussed being effective in helping in self improvement, the
will and determination of a person is the key to achieving all the change(Bagchi&
Sreejayan, 2012). From the change to be permanent or long term, the individual needs
to be determined in maintaining the new lifestyle and avoiding to go back to the
original lifestyle. An individual needs to be very focused and determined on achieving

Critique Appraisal
the change or otherwise the intervention will not work as expected. A person may also
fault to keep off habits such as smoking once they are away from the therapy groups.
Other methods of avoiding the behaviors need to be used to support the intervention
techniques that have been identified. Continuing with the physical experiences is also
important in changing lifestyle. Physical exercising needs to be made a way of life
and not a onetime affair. Regular exercises are one of the best ways of controlling
metabolism and in maintain good health. Control groups also help in providing
guidelines in nutrition which greatly helps in lifestyle change. People get used to
consuming more healthy food and are hence able to avoid the illnesses that come as a
result of obesity and being overweight.
There are also cases that have been reported where, the thyroid glands that regulate
metabolism become inactive. They result to hyporthyroidism which contributes to
weight gain.
Conclusion
A great deal of statistical data was found on the effectiveness and applicability of the
lifestyle intervention techniques. Many research articles against which the article
being critically reviewed was compared show that methods that were applied by the
researcher were appropriate and the research was conducted professionally. The data
collected was not biased since the participants in the study were chosen from different
locations after important tests have been conducted. Most of the intervention
techniques which were tested in the research yielded positive outcomes to the people
who used them. Internet based coaching, face-to-face mobile intervention, and mobile
intervention were found to be the most effective of all the techniques used. The
effectiveness of control groups was difficult to measure since it depends on the
resourcefulness and willingness of an individual. The research has been able to
answer important questions on the effectiveness and appropriateness of the lifestyle
intervention techniques using accurate and dependable measures and tests.

Critique Appraisal
References
Bagchi, D., & Sreejayan, N. (2012). Nutritional And Therapeutic Interventions For
Diabetes And Metabolic Syndrome [Recurso Electrónico]. Paises Bajos, Elsevier
Academic Press.
Blackstone, R. P. (2016). Obesity The Medical Practitioner's Essential Guide.
Http://Dx.Doi.Org/10.1007/978-3-319-39409-1
Branca, F., Nikogosian, H., & Lobstein, T. (2007). The Challenge Of Obesity In The
Who European Region And The Strategies For Response. Copenhagen, Denmark,
Who Regional Office For Europe.
Dubois, D. J., Gutierrez-Ibarluzea, I., & Lenoir-Wijnkoop, I. (2016). Today's
Nutrition And Tomorrow's Public Health: Challenges And Opportunities. [s.l.],
Frontiers Media Sa.
Goodman, C. C., & Fuller, K. S. (2011). Pathology For The Physical Therapist
Assistant. London, Elsevier Health Sciences. Http://Site.Ebrary.Com/Id/11045420.
Green, L. W., Sim, L. J., & Breiner, H. (2013). Evaluating Obesity Prevention
Efforts: a Plan For Measuring Progress.
Institute Of Medicine (U.S.), & Glickman, D. (2012). Accelerating Progress In
Obesity Prevention: Solving The Weight Of The Nation. Washington, Dc, National
Academies Press.
Jackson, S. E., Kirschbaum, C. And Steptoe, A. (2017), Hair Cortisol And Adiposity
In a Population-Based Sample Of 2,527 Men And Women Aged 54 To 87 Years.
Obesity, 25: 539–544. Doi:10.1002/Oby.21733
http://Onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/Doi/10.1002/Oby.21733/Full
Kiess, W., Wabitsch, M., Maffeis, C., & Sharma, A. M. (2015). Metabolic Syndrome
And Obesity In Childhood And Adolescence.
http://Public.Eblib.Com/Choice/Publicfullrecord.Aspx?p=3016651.
Mcphee, S. J., Papadakis, M. A., & Rabow, M. W. (2012). 2013 Current Medical
Diagnosis & Treatment. New York, Mcgraw-Hill Medical.

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Moher D, Schulz Kf, Altman Dg. The Consort Statementupdated Guidelines For
Reporting Parallel Group Randomised Trials Bmc Medicine2010 8:18
https://Bmcmedicine.Biomedcentral.Com/Articles/10.1186/1741-7015-8-18?
Report=Reader
Watson, R. R. (2014). Nutrition In The Prevention And Treatment Of Abdominal
Obesity. Burlington, Elsevier Science.
http://Public.Eblib.Com/Choice/Publicfullrecord.Aspx?p=1641898.
World Health Organisation – Obesity - Http://Www.Who.Int/Topics/Obesity/En/