Affiliation:
1. Department Research and Prevention Institute for Therapy and Health Research Kiel Germany
2. Institute of General Practice Kiel University Kiel Germany
Abstract
SummaryThis study examined the long‐term effects of a lifestyle modification program delivered at German Bundesliga football clubs. Weekly 90‐minute group sessions over 12 weeks combined health education and physical activity and were delivered by coaches affiliated with the football clubs. A total of 371 men (mean age 49.7 years [SD = 7.6]) attended 41 classes at 19 clubs in 2017 and 2018 and participated in the long‐term follow‐up. Primary outcome was weight‐loss at follow‐up with a mean observation period of 20.4 months after baseline. Measures were taken partly by research staff and partly by participants themselves. At baseline, the men had a mean weight of 111.3 kg (SD = 16.9). Three months after baseline (posttest), the men had lost a mean of 6.3 kg (95% CI: 5.7–6.9). From posttest to follow‐up, growth curve model showed men lost an average of 0.8 kg (95% CI: 0.2–1.4). Weight regain from posttest to follow‐up of at least 3% was observed in 75 participants (20.2%) and was associated with less improvement in vegetable consumption in an adjusted logistic regression model. The data suggest that participation in a male‐only lifestyle modification program offered by German football clubs may lead to sustained weight loss, but lack of a randomized control group and drop‐outs prevent generalization of the results.