Deconstructing Complex Interventions: Piloting a Framework of Delivery Features and Intervention Strategies for the Eating Disorders in Weight-Related Therapy (EDIT) Collaboration

Abstract

(1) Background: weight-management interventions vary in their delivery features and intervention strategies. We aimed to establish a protocol to identify these intervention components. (2) Methods: a framework was developed through literature searches and stakeholder consultation. Six studies were independently coded by two reviewers. Consensus included recording conflict resolutions and framework changes. (3) Results: more conflicts occurred for intervention strategies compared to delivery features; both required the updating of definitions. The average coding times were 78 min (SD: 48) for delivery features and 54 min (SD: 29) for intervention strategies. (4) Conclusions: this study developed a detailed framework and highlights the complexities in objectively mapping weight-management trials.

Keywords

• weight loss
• diet interventions
• intervention coding
• obesity
• eating disorders
• behaviour change