Effects of meeting steps-based and minutes-based physical activity goals on weight loss in online behavioral weight control: seemingly unrelated regression analysis

Abstract

Background: Behavioral weight loss programs often prescribe physical activity (PA) goals in terms of minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and steps/day. However, the impact of meeting each type of goal prescription on weight loss is unclear, particularly in digitally-based (eHealth/mHealth) programs. This secondary analysis of a randomized trial examined the effects of meeting steps-based and minutes-based goals on weight loss in an eHealth behavioral weight control program. Methods: Adults in the control arm received a 6-month online behavioral weight loss intervention with prescribed weekly goals for daily steps and minutes of MVPA. The number of weeks steps-based and minutes-based goals were met (≥100% and ≥75% thresholds) based on self-reported PA were examined as predictors of 6-month weight loss among those providing weight outcomes (n = 172; 81% of control arm) using a systems regression approach. Results: Participants (BMI 35.6 kg/m2; 90.1% female; 48.7 years of age) met weekly goals for MVPA (7.1 ± 6.4 weeks) more often than steps (3.5 ± 5.5 weeks, P