The SMART Randomised Controlled Trial

The dataset relates to a randomised controlled trial that was conducted in 2022 that tested the feasibility and acceptability of a small change weight gain prevention intervention (The SMART study). The study poster, advertisement text used in Tweets and Facebook posts, participant information sheet, consent form and anonymised participant data are available.

Details on the SMART study

Is a small change approach effective for weight management?

Making small changes to diet and/or participation in physical activity each day may be an effective strategy for preventing weight gain.

We searched ten databases to identify randomised controlled trials where the authors stated they had tested a small change approach for weight management or where an intervention that aimed decrease energy intake and/or increase energy expenditure by up to 200kcals per day was used. We screened trials and extracted and summarised data from eligible trials.

The review found a small change approach to diet and/or physical activity may be effective in preventing weight gain in adults, with an average of 0.7-0.9 kg of weight gain prevented over a follow-up of eight to 14 months. A small change approach may therefore be an appropriate strategy to reduce the 0.5 to 1 kg of average adult weight gain seen each year and may lead to decreased prevalence of overweight and obesity over time.