This Proof-of-Concept study consists of a series of uncontrolled pilot studies to refine a behavioral weight loss trial using a "small change" approach for emerging adult college students with overweight/obesity. The primary aim of this study is maximize student acceptability of the intervention and weight loss outcomes.
Forty percent of emerging adults (age 18-25) have overweight or obesity, which is unlikely to remit and has significant health consequences. However, emerging adults are underrepresented in traditional weight loss programs, drop-out at high rates, and have blunted weight loss outcomes. One potential way to improve participation is to offer BWLIs in college health service centers to reduce barriers to participation. Approximately 40% of emerging adults are enrolled in a postsecondary institution and college health centers are used widely by students. Moreover, delivering an intervention with design features that are responsive to emerging adult preferences and lifestyles may also improve intervention effectiveness and attractiveness. The "small change" (SC) approach to weight loss addresses emerging adult barriers to engagement by focusing on reducing calories through a few self-selected, specific changes to current obesogenic behaviors, requiring less time and effort than traditional behavioral weight loss interventions (BWLI) and promoting autonomy and self-efficacy. The SC approach has been used effectively for weight loss in other populations. This proof-of-concept study is part of a larger study that aims to develop and refine a novel and effective BWLI based on a SC approach that is designed for emerging adults and for implementation in college health centers, an accessible care setting. The primary aim of this proof-of-concept study is to iteratively test and refine the intervention to maximize student acceptability and weight loss outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
42
Behavioral modifications are based on empirically-supported principles for weight loss. Diet recommendations follow a small change approach in which participants will make a series of small, self-selected dietary changes each day (\~100-200 calories) that they build on over the course of the intervention. Physical activity recommendations are to achieve 150-250 weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with specific goals and rate of progression that are individualized to each participant.
Psychoeducation around dieting myths, healthy eating, and physical activity
The Miriam Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Acceptability
Refers to the satisfactory nature of a treatment and will be assessed via the 4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure. Benchmarks are to reach mean scores of at least 4 out of 5. Range is 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability.
Time frame: 10 weeks
Percentage of Participants Who Remained at 10 Weeks
Rate of retention of 80% or more (benchmark)
Time frame: 10 weeks
Adherence
Average attendance and completion of sessions of 75% or more (benchmark)
Time frame: 10 weeks
Weight Change
Average weight loss of at least 3% (benchmark)
Time frame: 10 weeks
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