An Evaluation of a Culturally- and Linguistically-Appropriate Online Diet Program for U.S Hispanics

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Obesity

Treatments

Behavioral: Online MiDieta Diet and Weight Management Program for Hispanics

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00372606

51759

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized trial to rigorously test the efficacy of the MiDieta eHealth portal for weight loss among overweight, though otherwise healthy, members of the Hispanic community, many of whom may be members of collaborating managed care organizations.

Full description

Obesity is a major and growing problem among U.S. Hispanics with serious implications for diabetes and other chronic disease risks. Current trends among youth suggest that disparities in obesity between minorities and non-Hispanic whites will amplify. Reducing such health disparities is a priority for federal, state and local governmental bodies and communities. Attaining these objectives will require interventions that are culturally- and linguistically appropriate. U.S. healthcare providers, however, have few culturally-appropriate tools and inadequate numbers of bilingual, trained healthcare professionals to address these challenges.

A culturally-appropriate weight-management portal, supported by bilingual Latina dietitians available for remote email counseling, offers an attractive mechanism for efficiently serving the underserved. MiDieta/MyDiet is the leading online diet, fitness and weight management portal for U.S. Hispanic/Latinos. MiDieta is bilingual (Spanish/English), based on Latino foods & habits and already available through dozens of media, hospital, and health plan websites. Thousands of Hispanics access MiDieta each week. Tommy Thompson recently selected MiDieta as one of the "20 most innovative health promotion and disease prevention applications" in the U.S.

Enrollment

1,000 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 75 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Women and men of Hispanic/Latino origin born in Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean, Spain or the United States
Between 18 and 75 years of age
BMI >/= 24.85
Otherwise "healthy" individuals (lack of major medical/psychiatric/ or chronic problems/disease - with the exception of Type 2 diabetes and controlled hypertension)
Not participating in other weight loss treatment programs and not planning on it for at least 12-16 more months
Internet access at least once per week
The participant has the ability to engage in at least light activity (walking, etc)

Exclusion criteria

The participant has a continuous history of major medical or psychiatric problems (requiring continuous medication and/or close physician supervision)
Diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes
The participant is pregnant or planning a pregnancy within the next 16 months
The participant is unable to participate in any exercise regimen
The participant is currently participating in MiDieta
The participant is currently participating in other weight loss programs or plans to in the next 12-16 months