Weight Loss and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): Lifestyle Interventions to Lose Weight and Reduce EDC Exposure in Individuals With Overweight/Obesity

Overview

The goal of this study is to examine the relationship in individuals with overweight/obesity and endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure through a two-armed, randomized clinical trial. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. If MM's 12-week EDC intervention program (EDC testing and report-back, EDC reduction curriculum) can reduce weight? 2. If a 12-week validated digital weight loss program can reduce EDC exposures? 3. What is the effectiveness of the two interventions at reducing weight and urinary EDC metabolites? Participants will be assigned to one of these two arms. Participants will collect their urine and blood samples pre- and post-intervention, and will take a comprehensive exposure survey before sending back their samples. This exposure survey will ask about participant's weight loss literacy, environmental health literacy, product use, diet, and lifestyle behaviors.

All three aims will assess EDC metabolites (vial mail-in urine test), weight loss (via self-reporting), and clinical biomarkers (via mail-in blood test, Siphox) as well as the effects of the interventions on improving EDC and weight related health literacy, readiness to change, adoption of healthy behaviors, and wellness (stress, sleep, general health, physical activity, social support, and financial well being) assessed via validated surveys before and after the interventions. Forty individuals with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 will be recruited (via the MM newsletter and social media) to each arm (N=80 total). Urinary EDC metabolites will be measured via MM mail-in EDC testing kit pre- and post-intervention and weight will be self-reported in both arms. The hypothesis is EDC exposures will be reduced and weight will decrease after intervention, in both arms and that post-intervention, participants will improve EDC and weight related health literacy, readiness to change, adoption of healthy behaviors, and wellness, in each of the arms. Our target population is individuals who are overweight or obese (i.e. BMI ≥25 kg/m2). The eligibility criteria include the following: a) age 18 and above; b) have access to a computer/ smartphone and a scale; c) not pregnant or breastfeeding; d) in good health, free from known diabetes; kidney, liver, cardiac, or pulmonary disease; or cancer; e) non-smoker; f) able to understand written and spoken English; g) willing to complete all study assessments. The MM team will recruit individuals (40 for each intervention arm). Participants will receive the MM test kits and intervention programs and weight loss application services. The study aims to enroll equal numbers of male and female participants and 30% non-white participants to match the US census, matched and randomized to each intervention arm. Individuals who respond to our posts will be sent recruitment emails with eligibility criteria screening questions. Upon completion of the screening questions, participants who meet the eligibility criteria will sign an electronic consent form to participate in the study. Consented participants will be randomized into the two intervention groups by using block randomization and will be sent a link to complete the baseline surveys. Once the baseline survey is completed, participants will be mailed the MM urine test kit and Siphox blood spot test kit. Participants in the EDC group will receive their results approximately 4 weeks after returning their kit. Several emails will be sent to the participants to update them on their sample and report statuses and keep them engaged. Once they have completed the 16-week intervention, participants will be sent the second kits and go through the same process again and submit their post-intervention samples. Participants in both arms will complete surveys online at baseline and 12 weeks after the start of the intervention (post-intervention). Demographic questions include participants' age, level of education, income, height and weight, self-assessed health status, smoking status, alcohol intake, and exposure to other toxic substances (e.g. dangerous chemicals, radiation). Height and weight will be computed into BMI for analysis of change over time. The study will measure participants' EDC and weight-related health literacy, readiness to change, self-reported behavior change, and wellness. During the post-intervention survey only, participants will be asked about how their behavior changed as a result of the intervention. The study will also evaluate the usability of the testing and report-back platform and participants' experiences (engagement, satisfaction, and retention) using the System Usability Scale and other participant satisfaction questions. EDC Reduction Intervention Group: Participants in this group will be required to attend 2 food/product/lifestyle audit sessions, complete at least 6 out of 12 modules in the intervention course and complete pre-post intervention surveys. Participants will be guided through this journey from our online instructions, online video tutorials, extensive educational materials, and email communication. Weight Loss Group: Individuals will be recruited to this following the same eligibility and recruitment parameters of the EDC intervention group. The weight loss intervention group will use a weight loss application for 12 weeks. MM will pay for the subscription. Participants will receive a MM test kit and Siphox kit at baseline, before starting the weight loss intervention, and after 12 weeks of engaging with the weight loss program. They will not undergo any EDC lifestyle auditing or coaching. Additionally, in order to reduce bias, these participants will not receive the results of their EDC testing and recommendations for reducing exposure until after the study has been completed, at which point they will receive both their baseline and post-intervention EDC exposure results. The Weight Loss group will also fill out the same baseline and post-intervention surveys as above.