Applying Social Comparison Theory to Behavioral Weight Loss: Does Modifying Group Membership Improve Outcome?

Lifespan

Status: Completed

Conditions: Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: Standard behavioral treatment for weight loss; Behavioral: Modified behavioral treatment for weight loss

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00716027

2034-08

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a modified behavioral treatment for weight loss that includes one-on-one treatment for individuals struggling to lose weight is associated with more weight loss than a standard behavioral treatment.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• BMI between 27 and 45 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

• participating in a weight loss program or taking a weight loss medication
• currently pregnant, lactating, or less than 6-months post-partum or plan to become pregnant during the time of the intervention.
• report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness
• report conditions that would render the participant unlikely to follow the study protocol (e.g., terminal illness, relocation, substance abuse, sever psychiatric condition, dementia).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

1

Active Comparator group

Description:

A 24-week intervention in which individuals will meet weekly to be instructed on behavioral change associated with weight loss, including modifying dietary intake, self-monitoring weight and eating behaviors, and increasing physical activity.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard behavioral treatment for weight loss

2

Experimental group

Description:

A 24-week intervention in which individuals will meet weekly to be instructed on behavioral change associated with weight loss, including modifying dietary intake, self-monitoring weight and eating behaviors, and increasing physical activity. In this intervention, individuals not meeting weight loss goals will be given one-on-one treatment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Modified behavioral treatment for weight loss