Investigators are conducting a randomized controlled trial with overweight and obese college students on the University of Minnesota campus. The primary outcome will be weight loss measured 12 months after study enrollment (corresponds to 10 months after the end of treatment).
Approximately 30% of college students are overweight or obese. Intervening on excess weight early may eliminate obesity-related morbidity. Evidence supports use of monetary incentives to encourage weight-loss; questions remain about the efficacy of contingency management on weight loss maintenance. "Lose 2 Win" contests in which participants who achieve weight-loss goals are eligible for cash prizes, appear well-suited for implementation on campuses. Our objective in this two-phase trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of Lose 2 Win for weight-loss maintenance among college students.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
144
Participants in the Contest Plus group had the opportunity to receive 5 in person meetings with a Registered Dietician. These meetings took place bi-weekly and gave the participants a chance to discuss food consumption, physical activity, meal planning and assessed the participant's weight at each visit. Participants in the Contest only and Control group were not eligible to receive these meetings.
Participants in the Contest Plus and Contest Only groups were eligible for a lottery based financial incentive for maintaining their weight lost during phase 1 (Baseline to week 10) of the trial. There were three, month-long follow up assessments (weeks 16, 20 and 24) that participants were eligible for. The lottery prize was contingent upon the length of time they maintained their weight loss.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Maintenance of the weight lost from Baseline to Week 10 (Phase 1) measured ten months (week 52) after end of treatment (week 10).
Time frame: Baseline, Week 10, Week 24, Week 52
Change in physical activity from baseline on the Physical Activity Questionnaire at week 24
Time frame: Baseline, Week 24
Change in physical activity from baseline on the Physical Activity Questionnaire at week 52
Time frame: Baseline, Week 52
Change in nutritional quality of diet from baseline on the Block Food Questionnaire at week 24
Time frame: Baseline, Week 24
Change in nutritional quality of diet from baseline on the Block Food Questionnaire at week 52
Time frame: Baseline, Week 52
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