Efficacy of a gender-tailored intervention to prevent weight regain in men over 3 years: a weight loss maintenance RCT

Objective: To examine whether a gender-tailored weight loss maintenance (WLM) program could reduce men's weight regain following weight loss. Methods: Ninety-two men who lost at least 4 kg during a 3-month weight loss phase were randomized to receive: (i) a 6-month WLM program (WL + WLM; n = 47) or (ii) no resources (WL-only; n = 45). The WLM program included written materials and messages (SMS, video email) plus other resources (e.g., pedometer, Gymstick™). The primary outcome was weight change in the first year post-randomization. Participants were assessed at “−3 months” (preweight loss), “0 months” (randomization into the WLM Phase), “6 months,” “1 year,” and “3 years.” Results: Before randomization, participants lost a mean (SD) of 7.3 kg (2.5). Retention was 83% at 6 months and 1 year and 71% at 3 years. Intention-to-treat analysis detected a significant group × time difference in weight regain favoring the intervention group at 6 months (−1.9 kg, 95% CI −3.7 to −0.1) but not at 1- or 3-year follow-up. Three years after completing the original weight loss program the WL-only and WL + WLM groups had maintained 59% and 51% of their initial weight loss, respectively. Conclusions: Men with overweight/obesity demonstrated clinically meaningful WLM 3 years after successfully losing weight. An additional WLM program contributed to enhanced WLM effects in the short term only.