Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: ENGAGED: E-Networks Guiding Adherence to Goals for Exercise and Diet
Brief Summary: The ENGAGED study is a 12-month randomized controlled trial investigating different strategies to improve weight loss in overweight individuals. All participants will receive an effective weight loss treatment: either self-guided or group formats. All treatment will be provided in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University. Participants who receive the self-guided weight loss treatment will be provided with a weight loss manual that contains proven behavioral weight loss strategies. Those participants who receive the group treatment will take part in 8 weekly, 90 minute group sessions in our clinic at 680 N. Lakeshore Dr., Chicago, IL 60048. Some participants will also be assigned an individual coach, who will communicate with them regularly via phone, email, and/or text message for the duration of the study. All participants must be willing and able to record food and beverage intake (either on a smartphone or on paper) and be willing to wear a small and unobtrusive physical activity measurement device for the first six-months of the study. Additionally, all participants will be asked to attend 3 follow-up assessment visits at our clinic at months 3, 6 and 12 after the study begins. Participants will be compensated for completing each of the 3 follow-up assessments. All participants will be part of a team weight loss competition at 3 and 6 months with financial incentive to be split evenly among the winning team.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older at time of consent, may be men or women.
* Capable of giving informed consent
* Have a cellular phone capable of receiving text messages.
* Able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-English speaking individuals
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* High blood pressure that is being treated with medication
* BMI between 30 and 50 kg/m2
* Weighs no more than 400 lbs
* Willing to change diet, physical activity levels, and weight
* Willing to be assigned to either study group
* Patient of a participating community health center with a record of at least one medical visit in the 12 months before study entry
* Primary care provider approval is needed for people with the following conditions: diabetes mellitus, a prior cardiovascular event more than 6 months before study entry, known stable cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Experienced a heart attack, stroke, or an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) procedure in the 6 months before study entry
* Serious medical condition that is likely to interfere with an accurate measurement of weight, for which weight loss is not medically advisable, or that would cause weight loss (e.g., end-stage renal disease \[ESRD\] and on dialysis; diagnosis or treatment for cancer in the 2 years before study entry, other than non-melanoma skin cancer)
* Prior or planned bariatric surgery
* Use of FDA-approved prescription weight loss medication, including off label drugs (e.g., topiramate, bupropion, byetta) or over-the-counter orlistat in the 6 months before study entry
* Long-term use (i.e., in the 6 months before study entry) of medications likely to cause weight gain or prevent weight loss (e.g., corticosteroids, lithium, olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine)
* Pregnant or breastfeeding in the 6 months before study entry
* Plans to become pregnant in the 2 years after study entry
* Plans to relocate from the area in the 2 years after study entry
* Another member of household is a study participant or study staff member
* Principal investigator decides that the individual is not suitable for the study
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* BMI between 30-40
* weight stable (not gained/lost more than 25 lbs in the past 6 months)
* not enrolled in any formal weight-loss program
* interested in losing weight
* willing and able to record dietary intake and weight for 6 months and wear an accelerometer
* willing to attend 8 weekly groups and 2 follow up assessments at the Northwestern Chicago campus
* expect to reside in the Chicago land area for the next 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* any unstable medical conditions (i.e. uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, cancer undergoing active treatment, a cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months)
* history of insulin-dependent diabetes
* Crohn's disease
* diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea requiring intervention
* required use of an assistive device for mobility (i.e. cane, wheelchair)
* BMI \> 40
* hospitalization for a psychiatric disorder within the past 5 years
* those at risk for adverse cardiovascular events with moderate intensity activity
* those currently taking weight loss medication or committed to following an incompatible dietary regimen
* women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or lactating
* Bulimia Nervosa
* suicide ideation
* current binge eating disorder
* those currently taking medications known to cause weight gain (i.e. Prednisone, Depakote, Diebeta, Diabinese, Cardura, Inderal, Zyprexa)
* current substance abuse or dependence
* plantar fasciitis
* current substance and/or alcohol dependence
* depression
* ADHD
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* male or female outpatients 21 years of age or older
* a diagnosis of COPD
* FEV1 25%-80% of predicted value
* FEV1/FVC \<70%
* capacity to give informed consent and follow study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* dementia
* psychotic features including delusions or hallucinations
* acute suicide or homicide risk
* other illness (e.g., cancer) that is likely to cause death within 3 years
* unstable angina
* congestive heart failure stage III - IV by NYHA classification
* active involvement in pulmonary rehabilitation or a formal exercise program

Answer: C