Using Grassroots Wellness Coaching to Enhance Reach and Sustainability of Behavioral Weight Management

Virginia Commonwealth University43 enrolled

Overview

African American adults that live in economically disadvantaged areas are at an increased risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. The program being tested in this research study aims to address these factors and increase outcomes for the study population. The purpose of this research study is to find out about the feasibility and acceptability of using house chats (HC) as a model for delivering a weight-management program in a real-world, community-based setting.

Wellness Ambassadors will undergo training to recruit and deliver a lifestyle intervention to members of their social networks.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity

Interventions

Wellness Engagement InterventionBEHAVIORAL

Train for, recruit participants into, and lead a 12-week lifestyle intervention delivered via weekly group meetings

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 and older * Resident of Petersburg, VA * Interested in engaging community members in healthy lifestyle changes (e.g., walking, small changes to eating) and willing to engage in these behaviors her/himself Exclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. * Currently being treated for cancer. * Medical conditions that may increase risk for participating in unsupervised exercise, if medical clearance is not provided * Hospitalization for depression or other psychiatric disorder within the past 12 months. * Lifetime history of bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder. * Currently pregnant or lactating, or planning to become pregnant within the study period. * Current involvement in a weight loss program or current use of weight loss medication. * Inability to speak, read and write English. * Planning to move from the Petersburg area within the study period. * Does not have sufficient numbers of individuals in their social network from which to recruit for the proposed study.

Locations (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Feasibility: House Chat Leaders (HCL)

House Chat Leaders (HCL) will undergo training to recruit and deliver a lifestyle intervention to members of their social networks.

Time frame: 18 months

Feasibility: Participants

The total number of participants recruited by the HCLs. The pre-specified goal is 80 participants overall (approximately 8 per house chat). A total of 71 individuals were interested and completed initial pre-screening. Of those, 43 were eligible and consented to participate. One individual did not complete their baseline visit, leaving 42 participants randomization eligible.

Time frame: 18 months

Feasibility: Delivery Model

The number of intervention sessions delivered as planned. The pre-specified threshold was 70% of sessions.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Acceptability: Attendance

The average number of sessions attended by participants. The pre-specified threshold was 70% of sessions.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Acceptability: Retention

The percentage of participants who are retained in the program. The pre-specified target to demonstrate acceptability was 80% retention.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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