Nutrition, Exercise, and Technology for Weight Loss

University of South Carolina

Status: Completed

Conditions: Overweight; Obesity

Treatments: Device: Digital body weight scale; Device: Fitbit Zip; Behavioral: Standard; Behavioral: Social support-enhanced

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02731768

1205

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a social support-enhanced, technology-based, behavioral weight control intervention can improve weight loss over existing best practices.

Full description

This 4-month randomized controlled trial is designed to investigate the short-term efficacy and feasibility of a novel, social support-enhanced behavioral weight control intervention. Participants will be recruited via email listservs, fliers, and word of mouth. They will be randomized to a standard behavioral weight control treatment (SBT) or a social support-enhanced behavioral weight control treatment which receives the same intervention as SBT plus social support resources (specifically, additional self-monitoring technologies) for weight loss.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Body mass index (BMI) between 25 kg/m2 and 55 kg/m2
• Age 18 years or older
• Access to a computer with an Internet connection
• Smartphone ownership (Android or iOS)
• Willing to be randomized to either one of the two study groups
• Only one member of the same household eligible to participate

Exclusion criteria

• Currently lactating, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during the length of the study
• Been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Medical or physical contraindications or limitations for engaging in physical activity
• History of major medical or psychiatric conditions
• Recent changes in medication known to affect weight
• Schedule that would prohibit or restrict attendance at a designated time for weekly in- person group meetings
• Currently participating in a weight management program
• Currently on medication that might affect weight loss

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive an evidence-based behavioral weight control program focused on physical activity and reducing caloric intake. They will be provided with a Fitbit Zip and digital body weight scale for self-monitoring of physical activity and body weight, respectively. They will track caloric intake via the MyFitnessPal smartphone application. They will have access to a study website and attend weekly, in-person group counseling sessions.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard

Device: Fitbit Zip

Device: Digital body weight scale

Social support-enhanced

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive the same intervention components as the Standard group, as well as two extra Fitbit Zips and digital body weight scales to share with up to two persons in their social circle who will be invited to serve as their support partners.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Social support-enhanced

Device: Fitbit Zip

Device: Digital body weight scale