Infuse Infuse 9 September 2019 | Page 14

In the study, we recruited 75 volunteers
(aged 18-75) with excess weight and
randomized them into three groups. One
group focused on breaking old habits; one
promoted forming new habits; and the third
group was a waitlist control.
The habit-breaking group was sent a text
message with a different task to perform
every day. These tasks were focused on
breaking usual routines and included things
such as “drive a different way to work ”
or “listen to a new genre of music”. The
habit-forming group was asked to follow a
program focused on forming habits centered
on healthy lifestyle changes. The group
was encouraged to incorporate ten simple,
healthy tips into their daily routine, so they
became second nature.
Unlike usual weight loss programs, these
interventions did not prescribe specific diet
plans or exercise regimens; they simply
aimed to change small daily habits. After 12
weeks, participants on both the habit-based
programs lost an average of 3.1kg (6.8lbs).
More importantly, after 12 months of no
intervention and no contact, they had on
average lost an additional 2.1kg (4.6lbs).
"I believe habit-based interventions
have the potential to change how we
think about weight management."
© Dietitian Connection
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Infuse | September 2019