This research will test the efficacy of a weight management intervention through a three-group randomized trial: mHealth only, mHealth+Community Health Worker (CHW) support, versus control group, among residents of Boston's public housing developments. The mHealth group consists of a 1-year text messaging program to promote diet and physical activity behavior changes and the CHW support consists of monthly phone counseling delivered by a CHW to support the text messaging program. Our hypothesis is that the mHealth+CHW group will be more effective in bringing about weight loss compared to mHealth alone or the assessment only control group. The findings are expected to inform future health promotion efforts among residents in public housing developments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
316
Participants will receive 2-3 text messages daily. The messages will include information to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
The CHW will provide behavioral counseling to participants guided by a study website related to their healthy eating and physical activity goals.
Boston Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Change in Weight at 12-month follow up
Weight will be objectively measured by study staff using standard procedures using an accurate electronic scale designed for portable use measured to the nearest 1/10th reading.
Time frame: Baseline, 12-month follow up
Change in Weight at 6-month follow up
Weight will be objectively measured by study staff using standard procedures using an accurate electronic scale designed for portable use measured to the nearest 1/10th reading.
Time frame: Baseline, 6-month follow up
Diet behavior
Diet (for example: fruits \& vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and sugary beverages) will be measured via unannounced 24-hour recalls, one per person per assessment period. Other diet behaviors (for example: breakfast consumption) will be measured via questions on standardized surveys.
Time frame: Baseline, 6-month follow up, 12-month follow up
Physical activity behavior
Physical activity will be objectively measured via Actigraph 3tx accelerometers worn by participants for 7 days (minimum of 4 days) to assess time spent in light-to-moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Time frame: Baseline, 6-month follow up, 12-month follow up
Psycho-social variables
Psycho-social variables (for example: Self-efficacy, motivation, outcome expectations, depressive symptoms, sleep, social support) will be evaluated for change over the intervention period and whether they moderate the intervention effect on weight.
Time frame: Baseline, 6-month follow up, 12-month follow up
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