A Weight-Loss and Healthy Living Program for Men Delivered in Swedish Football and Ice-Hockey Clubs (ViSiT): Results from the ViSiT Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: Men appear less interested than women in engaging in healthpromoting programs. We investigated the feasibility and proof of concept of a novel intervention program targeting male supporters of professional sports clubs. Methods: Our intervention is called ViSiT and the target population in this study was overweight male supporters aged 35-65 years with a body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m 2 , recruited through one football and one ice-hockey club. The participants (n = 22) participated in a 12-week lifestyle intervention with a 52-week follow-up. Body fat was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: The retention rate was high with 21 participants completing the 12-week program and 17 attending at least 10 of 12 sessions. Mean (standard deviation) body weight and fat reduction after 12 weeks was 8.2 (4.6) kg and 6.6 (3.6) kg, respectively. At 52 weeks, body weight and fat reduction were maintained at 6.4 (6.7) kg and 4.5 (6.5) kg. Even after 52 weeks follow-up, the participants appreciated most components of the ViSiT program and perceived the ViSiT program to have high impact on most health-related aspects investigated. Conclusions: The ViSiT program demonstrated a successful retention rate and clinically relevant weight reduction in Swedish overweight men. The maintenance of bodyweight reduction and positive experience after 1 year indicate a long-term effect of the ViSiT concept.

Football and Ice Hockey Fans' Experience of a 12-Week Training and Weight-Loss Pilot Intervention (ViSiT) in Sweden—A Focus Group Study

“…In a review of 31 intervention programs to promote physical activity for adult men, including FFIT studies, it was concluded that all studies using professional clubs to recruit men resulted in increased physical activity (Bottorff et al, 2015). Further, the ViSiT program resulted in clinically relevant weight reduction for the participants (Leijon et al, 2019).…”

“…The attendance rate in ViSiT was high for more information see (Leijon et al, 2019). and the participants mentioned that they did not want to miss any of the sessions.…”

“…To our knowledge there is no research available on the feasibility of interventions similar to FFIT in countries with a smaller supporter population. Therefore, we have developed an intervention inspired by FFIT and pilot tested it in a Swedish setting (Leijon et al, 2019). The intervention is called ViSiT (Swedish acronym: VIktiga Supportrar I Träning) and consists of a 12-week group-based lifestyle programme with weekly group sessions, followed by a 9-month maintenance phase.…”