Weight Maintenance Through Physical Activity and Social Support in Rural Middle-Aged Women

University of Nebraska

Status: Completed

Conditions: Body Weight Changes

Treatments: Behavioral: Videos; Behavioral: Action Plans; Behavioral: Health behavior tracking; Behavioral: Discussion Boards

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT01487538

5P20NR011404 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

0175-09-FB

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to compare an technology-based weight maintenance intervention using action plans, videos discussion boards and health behavior tracking (weight, calories in and out, pedometer steps) with a technology-based standard advice group to facilitate health management, resourcefulness and health status for rural middle-aged women.

Full description

The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the influence of a theory-based intervention using the Health Effects of Life Transitions for Women Model to promote maintenance of initial weight loss. The intervention will be designed to promote physical activity to prevent weight regain among an underserved and vulnerable population of rural, mid-life women. The intervention delivered through action plans, videos, discussion boards and health behavior tracking (weight, calories in and out, pedometer steps) to facilitate health management, resourcefulness and health status will be compared with the standard advice group who receives newsletters and health behavior tracking (weight) to initiate, increase, or sustain physical activity for weight maintenance.

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 40 to 64 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Women:

• aged 40-64 years;
• reported intentional weight loss of 5-10% of initial body weight within previous 6 months;
• residing in a rural county (population < 50,000 residents) or rural community (population less than 2,500) within driving distance of a UNMC College of Nursing campus;
• ability to communicate in English (verbal and written);
• ambulatory and can walk at least one block without the use of an assistive device, such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair;
• have access to the internet and current email account; and
• answer 'no' to all questions on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or obtain clearance from their physician to become more active.

Exclusion criteria

• instructed by a physician not to exercise;
• presence of chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of light-headedness upon exertion.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

intervention group

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention will be delivered through action plans, videos, discussion boards and health behavior tracking (weight, calories in and out, pedometer steps) to facilitate health management, resourcefulness and health status.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Videos

Behavioral: Health behavior tracking

Behavioral: Action Plans

Behavioral: Discussion Boards

Standard Advice Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Standard advice group receives newsletters and health behavior tracking (weight) to initiate, increase, or sustain physical activity for weight maintenance.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Health behavior tracking