The purpose of this study is to test the effect of a mobile phone-assisted lifestyle intervention on weight loss at 6 months among overweight/obese Chinese adults, as compared to a control group.
The rapid gains in China's economic development during the past two decades have been accompanied by similar gains in the population's waistline. Over 25% of Chinese adult females and more than a third of males are overweight or obese and rates are highest in urban areas such as Beijing. By 2015, overweight/obesity prevalence in China may reach 50% , thus imposing a heavy toll on chronic disease rates and health care costs. Despite these pressing public health challenges, very few obesity intervention studies have been conducted among Chinese adults. Duke University and Peking University have partnered to implement an intervention to address these rapid changes in weight. 124 participants in Beijing will be randomly assigned to either: (1) usual care (UC), or; (2) a 6-month weight loss (WL) intervention condition. The primary outcome is weight change (kg) at 6 months post-baseline. Secondary outcomes include change in blood pressure, weight circumference, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychosocial mediators at 6 months post-baseline. Participants randomized to the intervention arm will receive a series of components, delivered over 6 months: personalized behavior change goals to be self-monitored via text messaging, group "starter" counseling sessions, and personalized individual counseling. Each participant will also receive a pedometer to facilitate self-monitoring. These are evidence-based approaches, drawn from the investigators' collective research experience.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
123
Participants randomized to the intervention arm will receive a series of components, delivered over 6 months: personalized behavior change goals to be self-monitored via text messaging, group "starter" counseling sessions, and personalized individual counseling. Each participant will also receive a pedometer to facilitate self-monitoring.
Peking University
Beijing, China
Weight in kg
Weight measurements will be taken at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up visit
Time frame: baseline and 6-months
Change in body composition & behavior
Secondary outcomes include change in blood pressure, weight circumference, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychosocial mediators at 6 months post-baseline
Time frame: baseline and 6-months
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