The objective of this application is to pilot test and evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a program to facilitate weight loss by enhancing memory for a recently consumed meal.
Once enrolled, all participants will receive behavioral weight loss treatment. Treatment will be 12 weeks in duration and will consist of 7 sessions. The content of sessions will provide the main elements described in behavioral therapy programs for obesity, based on empirical literature. Participants will be provided handouts, and the handout content will be based on our clinic treatment manual and published behavior therapy protocols. The program will be administered in individual 30-60-min sessions with a behavioral coach meeting every other week. This program emphasizes self-monitoring of food intake. It also emphasizes gradual weight loss, increasing physical activity, and improving diet through permanent lifestyle changes. Program topics include: self-monitoring of eating behavior, physical activity, changing the home environment and nutrition education. All treatment sessions will be conducted by licensed clinical health psychologists or psychology doctoral level students with experience in leading weight loss interventions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Guided self-help Behavioral Weight Loss including 7 visits over 12 weeks. The treatment content includes self-monitoring, healthy eating, stimulus control, increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary activity, planning ahead for high-risk situations, and relapse prevention. The 7 visits are conducted with a behavioral coach to give participants educational materials and to promote accountability. The behavioral coach's role in the gshBWL program is to measure participant weight, collect self-monitoring booklets, clarify materials, and problem-solve barriers to adherence.
Attendance
The number of treatment visits attended
Time frame: Post-Treatment (12 weeks following baseline)
Attrition
The percentage of participant attrition from each treatment arm
Time frame: Change from baseline at an average of 12 weeks
Self-Monitoring Adherence
The number of days that participants self-monitor
Time frame: Post-Treatment (12 weeks following baseline)
Acceptability
Average of likert ratings of self-monitoring method, was it "easier," "more helpful," or "more convenient" than any methods participants may have used to self-monitor in the past
Time frame: Measured at an average of 12 weeks following baseline
Weight Change
Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2
Time frame: Change from baseline at an average of 12 weeks and 24 weeks
Working Memory
Digit Span: scaled total forward and backward score
Time frame: Change from baseline at an average of 12 weeks and 24 weeks
Food specific memory
A food version of the California Verbal Learning Test. Sum of words recalled across the five recall trials of list A (high calorie food, low calorie food, neutral words) as a measure of global index of verbal learning ability.
Time frame: Change from baseline at an average of 12 weeks and 24 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.