New Research on Weight Loss Program for Men with Obesity
New research from our Department has examined the effectiveness of the Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program for weight loss and health improvement in men with obesity. The study was published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine journal and involved a large, randomized trial across Canada and the U.S.
Key findings from the study include significant weight loss observed at both 3 and 12 months following the intervention. The 3-month program, which involved once-weekly, 90-minute sessions, led to a mean weight loss of 2.02 kg in the intervention group, compared to 0.92 kg in the control group. In addition to weight loss, participants showed significant improvements in other clinically meaningful measures, including systolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, physical activity levels, eating habits, and overall well-being.
The study successfully engaged a large number of men across a broad geographical area, all united by their passion for hockey, making the program particularly effective in reaching this demographic.
This study was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The PHAC award was supported by additional in-kind and cash contributions from multiple partners.
The research team includes our core faculty: Dr. Saverio Stranges, Dr. Merrick Zwarenstein, and Dr. Guangyong Zou, along with the study participants, Hockey FIT coaches, site leads, community partners, and the Central Research Team staff and students, all of whom contributed to the success of the Hockey FIT trial.
Original article:
Petrella RJ, Gill DP, Boa Sorte Silva NC, Riggin B, Blunt WM, Kfrerer M, Majoni M, Marsh J, Irwin JD, Stranges S, Zwarenstein M, Zou GY. The hockey fans in training intervention for men with overweight or obesity: a pragmatic cluster randomised trial. The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine, Volume 77, 102911 November 2024.
