Work

Self-monitoring, weight, dietary intake, and physical activity before and after hurricane Helene among weight-loss seeking adults in South Carolina

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective This study examined differences in adherence to self-monitoring and weight, dietary intake, and physical activity before and after Hurricane Helene among adults with knee replacement participating in a 12-month multicomponent weight-loss program in South Carolina, USA. Methods Self-monitoring included weight (smart scale), dietary intake (smartphone app), and steps and active minutes (Fitbit). Accounting for covariates, multilevel logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of adhering to the self-monitoring behaviors in the 30 days before compared to the 30 days after the hurricane in September 2024. Multilevel linear regression with piece-wise analysis predicted differences in daily energy intake, physical activity, and body weight before and after the hurricane. Results Participants ( n = 26) were 73.1 % female, 66.3 ± 7.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 32.4 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 and had spent 134 ± 108 days in the weight-loss intervention. After the hurricane, participants were significantly less likely to self-monitor across all behaviors and the longer time spent in the study further decreased the likelihood of adhering to self-weighing and physical activity monitoring post-hurricane. Steps/day increased during the post-hurricane period (β = 26.22 steps/day, 95 % CI: 6.14, 48.62) but no other significant changes in behaviors were found post-hurricane. Conclusions Following Hurricane Helene and widespread power outages, adults with knee replacement participating in a weight-loss intervention were less likely to self-monitor but increased steps per day. There were no significant changes in energy intake or weight post-hurricane. Participation in a multicomponent weight-loss intervention may offer some protection against detrimental effects of hurricane exposure on health behaviors.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103268