Modifying Alcohol Consumption to Reduce Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study of a Complex Community-based Intervention for Men

Irvine, Linda; Crombie, Iain K; Cunningham, Kathryn B; Williams, Brian; Sniehotta, Falko F; Norrie, John; Melson, Ambrose J; Jones, Claire; Rice, Peter; Slane, Peter W; Achison, Marcus; McKenzie, Andrew; Dimova, Elena D; Allan, Sheila

Abstract

Objectives
Being obese and drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week places men at very high risk of developing liver disease. This study assessed the feasibility of a trial to reduce alcohol consumption. It tested the recruitment strategy, engagement with the intervention, retention and study acceptability.

Methods
Men aged 35–64 years who drank >21 units of alcohol per week and had a BMI > 30 were recruited by two methods: from GP patient registers and by community outreach. The intervention was delivered by a face to face session followed by a series of text messages. Trained lay people (Study Coordinators) delivered the face to face session. Participants were followed up for 5 months from baseline to measure weekly alcohol consumption and BMI.

Results
The recruitment target of 60 was exceeded, with 69 men recruited and randomized. At baseline, almost all the participants (95%) exceeded the threshold for a 19-fold increase in the risk of dying from liver disease. The intervention was delivered with high fidelity. A very high follow-up rate was achieved (98%) and the outcomes for the full trial were measured. Process evaluation showed that participants responded as intended to key steps in the behaviour change strategy. The acceptability of the study methods was high: e.g. 80% of men would recommend the study to others.
Conclusions
This feasibility study identified a group at high risk of liver disease. It showed that a full trial could be conducted to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

Citation

Irvine, L., Crombie, I. K., Cunningham, K. B., Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., Norrie, J., Melson, A. J., Jones, C., Rice, P., Slane, P. W., Achison, M., McKenzie, A., Dimova, E. D., & Allan, S. (2017). Modifying Alcohol Consumption to Reduce Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study of a Complex Community-based Intervention for Men. Alcohol and alcoholism : international journal of the Medical Council on Alcoholism, 52(6), 677-684. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agx067

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 6, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 18, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Mar 15, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 15, 2018
• Journal: Alcohol and Alcoholism
• Print ISSN: 0735-0414
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-3502
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 677-684
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agx067
• Keywords: Liver disease, alcoholism, behavioural change,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1118043
• Contract Date: Mar 15, 2018