Water Intake For Weight Reduction An Online Randomised Controlled Trial Amanda Burls 1 , Amy Price 2 1 City University, 2 University of Oxford Introduction Could drinking extra water help us lose weight? Epidemiological data indicates water drinkers have a 9% (194 kcal/d) lower caloric intake than non-water drinkers. This reduction favors older people who are more likely to be on prescription medications. If water works to establish weight control this is problematic for trials that use water as an inactive control. Objectives To run a self-recruited fully online randomized trial to investigate if drinking water prevents weight-gain. To explore participant engagement and barriers, add to online trials methodology and to offer interactive just in time public research training. Want to work with us? email: [email protected] or visit http://ithinkwell.org Intervention All Participant arms will drink water for 180 days. 1. 8 8oz glasses of water a day (2L) 2 on waking and 2 before each of 3 meals 2. 4 8oz glasses of water a day (1L) 1 on waking and 1 before each of three meals 3. 2 8oz glasses of water a day (500ml) 1 each before 2 meals of participant choice 4. 1/2 a glass of water on waking (120m) Methods Participants will be self-recruited online. The randomized controlled trial will be pragmatic and parallel with 4 arms. Materials ● Validated VAS hunger scale ● VAS Headache scale ● Mood scale (happy, neutral, sad) ● Embedded Online BMI Calculator ● Printable online forms to record extra water intake, headache and hunger levels ● Personal weight scale ● PROMIS® Compliance is desirable, although dieting may be behavior based. Attrition is explored through participatory research methods. Activities Participants enter daily-allotted extra water consumption. They record headaches and hunger after meals. At study completion, participants will repeat the PROMIS assessment, record their weight, BMI, and upload their data. Study Analysis Quantitative methods will be web based, plus we use qualitative and embedded methods, particpants will contribute to qualitative analysis. Embedded research will be a collaborative project with Zooniverse and Oxford Internet Institute. References Price A Burls A, Spurden D, Hailey L, Roberts N. Water Intake for Weight Reduction: A Systematic Review. PROSPERO 2013: # CRD42013004998