Fred and Francis took part in the Game of Stones study, a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of text messaging, with and without financial incentives, in helping men with obesity lose weight.
The study found that men who received text messages and a financial incentive of up to £400, if they met specific weight loss targets over a 12-month period, lost significantly more weight compared to the other two groups: men who received text messages only; and men who were put on a waiting list to receive text messages after 12 months.
To celebrate taking part in research as part of the NIHR Be Part of Research campaign, and to encourage others to do so, Fred and Francis share their stories about why they took part in the study and the impact it has had on their health and wellbeing.
If you would like to take part in research, you can sign up to the national Be Part of Research volunteer service that will match you with suitable studies.
Fred’s story
About Fred
Fred, who is 71 years old and from Bristol, lost over 1.5 stone while taking part in the Game of Stones study.
What challenges did you face before the study?
Fred: A number of years ago I was greatly overweight. Following a routine blood test for my Atrial Fibrillation I was told that I was pre-diabetic. Following a discussion with my doctor I agreed to try ‘Exercise on Prescription’ and six month membership of Weight Watchers funded by the NHS. This did work very well but there was no support or regular contact. I went to the gym and Weight Watchers on my own. I lost more weight than on the Game of Stones study but put it back on again, although not quite as much. I feel this was because I lost the weight too quickly.
How did being overweight affect you?
Fred: Because of my age, and being retired, the impact of being overweight wasn’t a great issue. However, I do realise that being overweight is not good, so the main impact for me was that I wanted to be around for as long as possible. Clothes were a problem with fluctuating weight – sometimes they would fit, sometimes not. Clothes bought in the past were sometimes too big or too small. Also I experienced shortness of breath when doing moderate exercise such as walking.
How did you hear about the Game of Stones study?
Fred: I had information from my doctor about the programme with contact details to make an appointment and see if I met the criteria. I met with a member of the research team who confirmed that I was eligible for the programme. Once details of the programme were explained I had no hesitation in signing up.
How did taking part in the study impact on you?
Fred: The obvious change for the better is getting the weight off, exceeding my target, and more importantly keeping the weight off. Moderate exercise is much more enjoyable now. Since the study I now find it easier to go out for a meal, not worry about what I eat, knowing that I can go back to being “sensible”. The text messages were a definite bonus, giving you tips on how other participants (although not mentioning names or personal details) were managing the programme. This made me realise I was not doing this alone and was very encouraging. During the programme I also sent tips of my own which I hope were useful to others.
What would you say to others thinking about taking part in health research?
Fred: Just do it! If you (as I have in the past) tried losing weight and ended up in a yo-yo situation with your weight control try this programme, it certainly worked for me.
Francis’ story
About Francis
Francis, who is 66 and from Glasgow, lost 3.5 stone while taking part in the Game of Stones study.
What challenges did you face before the study?
Francis: My last job was for a firm of solicitors who dealt with injury compensation claims from clients who were injured in motor accidents. The last five to six years of my working life involved me travelling around the whole of Scotland to take face-to-face, verbal statements from people involved in the road traffic accidents, drivers, passengers, witnesses, and police officers who had attended at the scenes of accidents.
This could involve lengthy trips from home and overnight stays in B&Bs or hotels, and involved taking statements at various hours of the day, and often working at weekends. I therefore had no real set routine as I had to accommodate the availability of the person(s) giving the statement, and this was often outside of the normal nine to five. My eating habits were pretty much all over the place, so trying to control my intake was very difficult, and so losing weight was also difficult.
How did being overweight affect you?
Francis: On the Christmas Day before I joined Game of Stones, my wife and I were recovering from COVID and we were getting ready to visit my sister and her husband to celebrate, with my mother also attending. Unfortunately, I slipped and fell out of the shower over our bath and landed heavily, flat on my back, pulling the shower curtain down around me, and sending the curtain’s plastic clips shooting around the bathroom, like shrapnel.
My wife was not at full strength because of COVID, and I was badly shocked by my fall and landing, so it took the two of us about half an hour to get me onto my knees and to crawl back to my bed. This was the final straw in making my mind up that I had to lose weight. Unfortunately, we had to miss the day at my sister’s, but she did drive over to our house in the evening with my wife’s and my share of the Christmas dinner.
How did you hear about the Game of Stones study?
Francis: A few weeks later, my sister’s husband, who is a Lecturer at Caledonian University in Glasgow, contacted me to advise he’d heard of this new programme for men of my age losing weight, and he provided me with the e-mail link, and so I made contact and was accepted into the programme.
How did taking part in the study impact on you?
Francis: After I had lost the weight, I was delighted and was able to dispose of some of my larger size clothes which had become my normal, and enjoyed being lighter. I have put some weight back on, but as we have a family wedding coming up in October this year, I intend going back to my Game of Stones eating regime to lose weight to be able to put on my full Highland dress outfit at that do, so the serious stuff starts now, and having done it once, I should be able to do it twice.
What would you say to others thinking about taking part in health research?
Francis: In my case, the financial reward was a big incentive to taking part in the Game of Stones Study. I feel I was very fortunate to be drawn in the group who received the supporting texts/emails and the £4OO award after 12 months, so these were aII important for my weight loss. Not all studies will include a cash reward but taking part in research can make a difference to your health and the health of others.
Further information
If you would like to take part in health research, visit the NIHR’s Be Part of Research campaign website and find out more.
The Game of Stones study was led by the University of Stirling in collaboration with the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Queen’s University Belfast and the Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Glasgow.
Findings from the study were reported in May 2024.
For more information, visit the Game of Stones website.
Acknowledgements
Huge thanks to Fred and Francis for sharing their stories, and to all the men who took part in the Game of Stones study, and contributed to the study design and sharing of research findings.
About the Centre for Academic Primary Care
The Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol is a leading centre for primary care research in the UK, one of nine forming the NIHR School for Primary Care Research. It sits within Bristol Medical School, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for population health research and teaching. Follow on Bluesky: @capcbristol.bsky.social and LinkedIn.
If you would like to help us shape our research, find out how on our public involvement and engagement pages.
About the NIHR
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
- Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
- Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
- Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
- Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
- Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
- Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.