PLoS medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preventing Weight Gain in Women in Rural Communities: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.
Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in both developed and developing countries. Even modest weight gain increases the risk for chronic illness, yet evidence-based interventions to prevent weight gain are rare. This trial will determine if a simple low-intensity intervention can prevent weight gain in women compared to general health information. ⋯ A low intensity lifestyle program can prevent the persistent weight gain observed in women. Key features included community integration, nonprescriptive simple health messages, small changes to behaviour, low participant burden, self-weighing, and delivery including a mix of group, phone, and SMS text reminders. The findings support population strategies to halt the rise in obesity prevalence.
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In this month’s editorial, the PLOS Medicine editors note recent progress towards data sharing as the community norm in medical research and the barriers that remain.