Secondary analysis of the Game of Stones trial for men with obesity: examining moderator effects and exploratory outcomes
Authors' conclusion
The Game of Stones interventions were equally effective across various subgroups based on socioeconomic, health, or well-being status. Texts with financial incentives group participants showed better engagement for some intervention elements. The implementation of Game of Stones is unlikely to increase health inequalities. Future studies should focus on increasing engagement.
Study context
- Population
- Men with obesity
- Participants
- 585 men
- Comparison
- Text messages with financial incentives, or text messages alone, vs waiting list control
- Primary endpoint
- Moderation of percentage weight change by 9 socioeconomic and 11 health factors
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailsthree-group
- Three-group
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Moderator effects on % weight change
- No moderator effects were found by any factors for either comparison vs control
Further findings
Health behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, smoking, alcohol)
- No differences across groups for health behaviors
Engagement in weight-management strategies and confidence
- Texts with incentives had higher engagement in 6 strategies (incl. weight goals, food changes, self-weighing) and higher confidence vs control
Original publication
Secondary analysis of the Game of Stones trial for men with obesity: examining moderator effects and exploratory outcomes. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 9 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →