Testing a new approach for specialist obesity services

The PROGROUP research team from the University of Plymouth and the University of Exeter recently held an event at The Box, Plymouth's award-winning museum, art gallery, and archive. 

Thirty people attended the event, representing Plymouth University, the University of Exeter, Plymouth Marjon University, the NHS, Livewell Southwest, and independent psychology practitioners.

Professor Mark Tarrant, Dr Laura Hollands, Dr Lily Hawkins, and Dr Shokraneh Moghadam shared their work in designing a 'real-world' trial to test a new model of care: Group-based behavioural interventions in specialist (tier 3) obesity services.

How the model works

The research team presented the PROGROUP model as a group-based clinical intervention focused on changing key behaviours related to diet and physical activity. Based on the social identity model of behaviour change, the team described how they translated behaviour change techniques and educational content to support the development of shared social identity within the groups.

This approach unlocks group processes such as trust, social support, and collective agency, which are essential for facilitating behaviour change. Each group in the study participated in 12 sessions that involved techniques, such as social support and group problem-solving.

Each individual within the groups received three one-on-one sessions (at the start, middle, and end of the group sessions) with the group facilitator to review their progress and personal goals.

The PROGROUP team explained how they are evaluating the programme using various methods, including interviews, observations, fidelity to form and function checklists, questionnaires, and feedback forms. They also shared how they applied psychology to the design of the group facilitator training programme – consistent with the social identity model of behaviour change – where facilitators prepare the group for change by observing the group to understand it, and working with the group to advance its values before helping them achieve meaningful outcomes.

A lively Q&A session followed the main presentation, with in-depth conversations and networking continuing over coffee.

Key takeaways

Key takeaways from the event included the complexity of group interventions, the challenges of trialling new theory-based interventions in busy frontline services, and the importance of compromise when collaborating with others.

Thank you to the PROGROUP research team and all attendees for an insightful event.

If you would like to contact the PROGROUP team to learn more about their work, please email: [email protected]. 

You can also follow them on Twitter/X: @PROGROUPstudy.