The purpose of this study is to examine whether adding phone coaching to an Internet-based weight loss program can improve weight loss outcomes at 4 months and 1 year. All individuals will receive a 4-month, Internet-delivered weight loss program followed by an 8-month Internet-delivered weight loss maintenance program. Some individuals will also be selected to receive either 3 weeks or 12 weeks of phone coaching. Assessments of weight, diet, physical activity, and psychosocial factors will occur at baseline, 4 months, and 1 year.
All individuals enrolled in this study will receive a 4-month Internet-based weight loss program followed by an 8-month Internet-based weight loss maintenance program. During the first 4 months, each week individuals will be asked to view a 10-15-minute multi-media lesson (one per week). These lessons focus on behavioral principles for changing diet and physical activity behaviors. Participants are also given weight loss, calorie intake, and physical activity goals. They are taught how to self-monitor this information and are instructed to submit it weekly on the study website. Automated, weekly individualized feedback is provided. Following the 4-month weight loss program participants will receive an 8-month weight loss maintenance program. During this time, they will be asked to view monthly video lessons which focus on strategies for successful WL maintenance and instructed to continue to self-monitor weight, calorie intake, and physical activity minutes on the study website for one week per month. Automated, monthly feedback is provided. In addition to the Internet program described above, some individuals enrolled in this study will be selected to receive phone coaching. Those selected for 'brief' phone coaching will be asked to complete 3 phone calls with a coach between weeks 5-8 of the study and those selected to receive 'extended' phone coaching will be asked to complete 12 phone calls with a coach between weeks 5-16. The first coaching call will be approximately 45 minutes in duration and all subsequent calls will be approximately 15 minutes in duration. The coach will assist participants in developing a meal plan, problem solving around current barriers, and goal setting. Upon completion of all coaching calls participants will have no additional interaction with the coach, but will remain enrolled in the Internet program. Assessments will occur at baseline, 4, and 12 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
452
12-month, Internet-based weight loss/maintenance program.
Some individuals will receive 3 weeks of phone coaching. Coaching calls will occur 1x/week, starting at week 5. Once coaching calls are completed, the participant will not have any other contact with their coach.
Some individuals will receive 12 weeks of phone coaching. Coaching calls will occur 1x/week, starting at week 5. Once coaching calls are completed, the participant will not have any other contact with their coach.
The Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Percent Weight Change at 4 Months
Weight change was assessed using weight at baseline and 4 months
Time frame: 4 months after start of weight loss program
Percent Weight Change at 12 Months
Weight change was assessed using weight at baseline and 12 months
Time frame: 12 months after start of weight loss program
Cost of Supplemental Coaching Per kg of Weight Loss
Cost-effectiveness analyses were completed to determine the intervention cost per kg of weight loss
Time frame: 12 months after start of weight loss program
Change in Physical Activity Minutes (Min/wk)
Physical activity was assessed via Actigraph accelerometers and included moderate-to-vigorous physical activity that was accumulated in bouts of \>=10 minutes. A change score between baseline and 4 months was calculated.
Time frame: 4 months after study enrollment
Change in Dietary Intake (Kcals)
Dietary intake was assessed using self-reported kcal totals obtained from food diaries. The change was calculated from baseline to 4 months.
Time frame: 4 months after start of weight loss program
Self-monitoring of Calorie Intake
Percentage of days that participant self-monitored their calorie intake on study website
Time frame: 4 months after start of weight loss program
Video Lesson Viewing
Percentage of video lessons viewed on study website
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Time frame: 4 months after start of weight loss program