People with obesity are at greater risk of type two diabetes, some cancers, heart disease, stroke, infections like COVID-19 and mobility problems. However, men rarely take part in weight loss services. Together with men who have tried to lose weight, we designed a new weight loss service.
GAME OF STONES AIMS:
To find out if text messages (with and without cash incentives) can help men to lose weight over 1 year and keep it off for another year compared to a waiting list group.
Any man aged 18 or over who is overweight.
Men planning to move out of the area within 12 months or who are planning bariatric surgery in the next 12 months will not be eligible.
People with obesity are at greater risk of type two diabetes, some cancers, heart disease, stroke, infections like COVID-19 and mobility problems. However, men rarely take part in weight loss services.
WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THIS STUDY?
To find out if text messages (with and without cash incentives) can help men to lose weight over 1 year and keep it off for another year compared to a waiting list group. To find out the costs and benefits to the health service, and men’s experiences.
WHERE WILL THIS STUDY TAKE PLACE?
In GP practices and/or a variety of community venues in Glasgow, Bristol and Belfast (and some surrounding areas).
WHO WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY?
585 men who want to lose weight from varied backgrounds.
WHAT IS MY INVOLVEMENT IN THIS STUDY?
Men will be allocated by chance to one of three groups: texts with incentives; texts only; and a 12-month waiting list for texts. The full cash incentive is paid at 12 months only if all personal weight loss targets are met when men are weighed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Some money is lost for each target weight that is not met. Weight loss after 12 months is the main outcome hoped for and men are asked questions about their health, quality of life, well-being and experiences. Men are also weighed 1 year later (24 months after the start), a year after the texts stop.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY?
The findings will be shared with the public, men’s health groups and health service staff through social media, blogs, reports, presentations and research papers.
No. Any man over the age of 18 can take part.
No. This is decided randomly by a computer program and is out with the control of the research team
Unfortunately, this trial is aimed specifically at men but if you are interested in weight loss, please see the following local resources for advice.
We will follow all relevant government and local guidelines on Covid-19 in this trial, including measures such as physical distancing, use of antibacterial hand sanitiser/wipes and face masks.
Please email us on gameofstones@stir.ac.uk
Funding acknowledgement
This trial is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research Programme. Reference no: NIHR 129703.
The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.