A Technology-Based Intervention for the Reduction of Overweight and Obesity Among College Students

N/ACompletedNCT02196012

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville23 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability and efficacy of a two month technology-based weight loss program for overweight and obese college students.

A randomized controlled trial design will be employed to investigate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a technology-based weight loss pilot intervention for the reduction of overweight and obesity in college students. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) 8-week intervention group, or (2) 8-week attention control group. Both conditions include 8 weekly lessons over 8 weeks. Undergraduate students (n=100) age 18-22 years who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) will be recruited from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Measurements will be taken at baseline and 8 weeks. Since the study is a technology-based intervention, research staff will collect height and weight measures for BMI through a novel approach, utilizing Skype video conferencing.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Overweight and Obesity

Interventions

Intervention groupBEHAVIORAL

attention control conditionBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 22 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Eligibility will include UTK undergraduate students who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and between 18-22 years of age, with access to the Internet, a personal computer (laptop, tablet, or desktop computer), and a smartphone. Exclusion Criteria: * Any individual who does not meet all the inclusion criteria will be excluded from participation in the study. * Students who have a medical condition that precludes adherence to dietary recommendations * Who are currently prescribed medications that may impact weight, or who are currently participating in or planning to participate in another weight loss programs in the next six months * Who have been diagnosed with a major psychiatric illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression) within the last 12 months * Who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next six months * Who have given birth within the last six months * Who have been diagnosed with any type of eating disorder within the past 12 months will be ineligible.

Locations (1)

University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

body mass index (BMI)

Time frame: 2 months

Secondary Outcomes

feasibility

A mixed methods approach, including online surveys and focus groups, was employed to assess the feasibility of the pilot study. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention data and self-reported records of participant engagement.

Time frame: 2 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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