The impact of digitally-supported personalised goals to reduce sedentary behaviour in a clinically obese population.

Background: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 39% of the global population are overweight and 13% are obese and the annual cost of identifying and treating obesity-related diseases in Ireland alone is €1.13 billion (WHO, 2015). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of weekly personalised goals and feedback on reductions in sedentary behaviour in clinically obese patients (BMI>30) attending the CLANN lifestyle programme. Methods: A sample of 78 obese men and women participating in the CLANN 10-week lifestyle program were randomised to control or experimental conditions in a 2 (control/experimental) x 2 (baseline/follow-up) design. Clinical (BMI, sedentary behaviour) and psychological variables (anxiety, distress, self-efficacy and social support) were assessed at baseline and again at 10-week follow-up. Participants were fitted with activPALTM physical activity monitors to monitor sedentary behaviour. The experimental group received weekly personalised sedentary behaviour goals (calculated by subtracting 10% from previous week) and feedback via the activPALTM data on their progress. The control group received general care for the duration of the programme. Findings: Significant improvements were observed within 10 weeks with reductions in sitting/lying time (p<.05), increases in up/down transitions (p<.05) and increases in selfefficacy (p<.05) in the experimental group compared with controls. Discussion: Personalised goal-setting with frequent feedback and monitoring was effective in reducing sedentary behaviour in a clinically obese population. Settling realistic, attainable goals increased the likelihood of success in achieving targets resulting in increased selfefficacy and yielding significant reductions in sedentary behaviour.