Critical Review: Bender et al. (2016) - Go4Health Weight Loss Program

This review examines the research article by Bender et al. (2016) focusing on the Go4Health Weight Loss Program designed for Filipino Americans, a subgroup with a high prevalence of obesity and type II diabetes. The study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of the program in reducing metabolic syndrome risks. Feasibility was measured by participant recruitment, enrollment, and adherence, while efficacy was assessed through changes in body weight percentage using a linear mixed model. The review discusses the importance of statistical power, noting the study's small sample size but significant outcome measures. It also explores the strengths and weaknesses of the feasibility study, highlighting the need to consider external factors and confounding variables like dietary history that could influence the program's results. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of assessing individual program impacts and managing other factors affecting the investigated disease state. Desklib provides access to similar documents and solved assignments for students.

Research Article review by Bender et al., 2016
The overall goal of the study
According to the study, Filipino Americans comprise the largest subgroup in the US
and have a high prevalence of obesity and associated type II diabetes. With this view, the
study aimed at assessing the feasibility and the potential efficacy of this subgroup in
Go4Health Weight Loss Program. The program aimed at reducing the risks of the
development of metabolic syndrome among Filipino Americans.
Definition of measures
Based on the study, feasibility has been assessed based on eligibility recruitment of the
participants who were screened, finalized the run, enrolled and randomized and having
adhered to the program. The efficacy of the program was assessed through the randomized
group for characteristic measured before randomization process kicks off, the primary
outcomes of the study. The primary outcomes of the study were the changes in percent of the
body weight. Measures utilized for measuring primary outcomes using linear mixed model
and assessment of changes on intervention effects.
Statistical power in the research
Statistical power is key in research, especially when interpreting results. Test power
carries the ability to interpret results. It is often influenced by the significant level choice and
effect size being measured. Many clinical trials as observed have low statistical power hence
low in detecting differences while those using adverse treatments.
In this study, outcome measures were randomized and collected from the respondents
and they were broad enough to improve the test of the research tools. The sample used was
small; however, the outcomes measures assessed had great significance on the overall study.
Feasibility and effect used in the study
The study measured the baseline data of the participants and recruited them into the
program. Feasibility studies often try to uncover the weakness and strengths of a given
program. A feasibility study program aims at evaluating potential success and weakness of a
program. The study has incorporated various measures such as changes in the body weight.
However, the study did not elaborate on how other factors outside the program could have
influenced the study results.
Further, since it is a technology-based program effect cannot entirely be solely on the
program. Other factors could have affected the running of the program. The measures utilized
however addresses the goals of the program, however, the program could have adopted an
assessment of the individual program and to manage other confounding factors such as

dietary history which have a direct impact on the disease state being investigated.
Reference
Bender, M. S., Santos, G. M., Villanueva, C., & Arai, S. (2016). Development of a mobile
phone-based weight loss lifestyle intervention for Filipino Americans with type 2
diabetes: protocol and early results from the PilAm Go4Health randomized controlled
trial. JMIR research protocols, 5(3).