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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Jun 26;13(6):e0199751.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199751. eCollection 2018.

Nonadherence to daily self-weighing and activity tracking is associated with weight fluctuations among African American breast cancer survivors

Chantel L Martin  1 , Deborah F Tate  1   2   3 , Carmina G Valle  2   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Nonadherence to daily self-weighing and activity tracking is associated with weight fluctuations among African American breast cancer survivors

Chantel L Martin et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: Daily self-weighing (DSW) and daily activity tracking (DAT) are useful strategies for preventing weight gain among African American breast cancer survivors. However, self-monitoring behaviors vary over time, increasing risk of weight gain. This study explored the association of nonadherence to DSW and DAT with corresponding weight fluctuations among African American breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Using data from a 6-month randomized controlled trial, we conducted a secondary data analysis among women randomized into a DSW group (n = 13) and a DSW+DAT group (n = 11). DSW and DAT were captured from wireless scale and activity tracker data. Nonadherence to DSW was defined as one or more days without a weight measurement, and nonadherence to DAT was defined as one or more days without activity tracking. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine weight fluctuations in relation to nonadherence to DSW and DAT. Data analysis occurred from September 2016-April 2017.

Results: Over the 6-month study period, women provided 119.2 ± 46.0 weight measurements and 121.9 ± 53.2 days of physical activity tracking. Nonadherence to DSW was associated with weight fluctuations. For every 1-day increase in nonadherence to DSW, weight increased by 0.031 kg (95% CI: 0.012, 0.050; p<0.01). Additionally, during periods of DSW and DAT weight decreased by 0.028 kg (95% CI: -0.042, -0.014; p<0.001) and 0.017 kg (95% CI: -0.030; -0.004) respectively.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that nonadherence to DSW was associated with weight gain among breast cancer survivors. Weight loss was enhanced during periods of DSW and DAT.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Patterns of self-weighing based on the number of women actively self-weighing.
The left y-axis (and black line) represents the number of women actively self-weighing (5+ days per week). The right y-axis (and gray line) represents the average number of weight measurements per week.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Patterns of activity tracking based on the number of women actively tracking physical activity.
The left y-axis (and black line) represents the number of women actively tracking physical activity (5+ days per week). The right y-axis (and gray line) represents the average number of days per week of recorded of physical activity.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Mean percent weight change (in lbs.) over the 6-month study period.
(A) self-weighing frequency and (B) PA tracking frequency. *P<0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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