WIN: a Feasibility Study of a Weight-Neutral Health Intervention

Carsten Dirksen

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: WIN

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06922630

NNF22SA0080921 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

WIN feasibility study

Details and patient eligibility

About

The WIN intervention aims to improve the mental, social and physical health as well as quality of life of participants with BMI≥30 without focusing on their weight, and with no aim of weight loss. The WIN 6 months intervention is based on the principles and methods of the weight neutral movement Health at Every Size (HAES). The content is developed in a co-design process that involved Danish participants who have lived or professional experiences with such approaches.

The intervention uses the method of intuitive eating to align eating behaviours with internal cues of hunger and fullness rather than rules, restrictions and external cues. The intervention also draws on components from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to manage body image concerns and weight stigma.

Full description

The WIN group intervention comprises bi-weekly two-hour sessions with 11-12 participants and two WIN-therapists. Session 1 is an individual session and sessions 2-12 are group sessions. The programmes include psychoeducation, group discussions and homework about topics within the weight neutral approach such as intuitive eating, weight stigma, enjoyable movement and self-compassion.

Overview of sessions 1-12:

1. Individual session with a WIN therapist to explore the participant's expectations and needs in relation to commencing intuitive eating and body acceptance.
2. Introduction to weight-neutral health
3. Your body, Your rules
4. Intuitive eating I
5. Intuitive eating II
6. Body Respect and Weight Stigmatization
7. Self-compassion and confronting your inner critical voice
8. Body awareness, Rest and Movement - Yoga and Your strong body
9. Body awareness, Rest and Movement, intimacy and sexuality
10. Follow-up on intuitive eating
11. Follow-up on challenges
12. Strategies for resilience

Optional WIN elements include two support network events, up to 24 2-hour sessions of WIN-physical activity (Rest and Movement (12 sessions) and Competent Body Training (12 sessions)), and three individual online sessions.

Enrollment: 56 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years old at screening.
• BMI ≥30 kg/m2.
• Residence in the Capital Region of Denmark.
• Able to understand and communicate in Danish.
• Informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Intends to become pregnant during the intervention or is currently pregnant.
• Has used weight loss medications or GLP-1 agonist treatment within the past 6 months or intends to use weight loss medications or begin any other intensive weight loss treatment during the WIN intervention.
• Has severe psychiatric or physical conditions that may interfere with participation or may present a safety concern.
• Cannot transport themselves to the group sessions.
• Is deemed unable to complete a two-hour group session, as assessed by the investigator at the clinical screening interview.
• Takes part in other research involving weight loss treatment that would compromise participation in this study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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56 participants in 1 patient group

WIN

Experimental group

Description:

Weight-neutral health intervention

Treatment:

Behavioral: WIN