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:

* Age between 18-70
* Body Mass Index between 30-50
* English Speaking
* Have a smartphone that can be used for study activities

Exclusion Criteria:

* Report being unable to walk 2 blocks without stopping
* Are currently participating in weight loss treatment, have a history of bariatric surgery, or lost ≥5% in the past 6-months
* Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant within 1 year
* Report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of rest or activity, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
* Report a medical condition that could jeopardize their safety in a weight control program with diet and exercise guidelines
* History of or current traumatic brain injury, dementia or Alzheimer's disease; a history of Multiple Sclerosis, or other neurological disorders
* Report conditions that, in the judgment of the PI, would render them unlikely to follow the protocol (e.g., relocation, dementia, unable to read and write in English)
* Have no Internet access or unwilling to use personal smartphone for study.
B: 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
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: More than 20 years of age and under 70 years of age.
2. BMI ≥ 25kg/m2
3. Patients with metabolic syndrome (who have more than three of following 5 components of metabolic syndrome) and who are able to receive outpatient treatment.

   A. Abdominal obesity: Waist circumference≥90cm(Male), 85cm(Female) B. Patients whose blood pressure ≥130/85mmHg(systolic blood pressure over 130 or, diastolic blood pressure over 85) or patients who are taking blood pressure medication.

   C. Fasting Blood Glucose (FPG)≥ 100mg/dl. D. Patients whose triglyceride ≥150 mg/dl or patients who are taking fibrate. E. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) \< 40 mg/dl (Male), 50 mg/dl(Female)
4. Patients who are able to understand the purpose of this trial and to read and write.
5. Patients who are able to use U-healthcare Smartphone for this trial.
6. Patients who participate voluntarily and sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Type I diabetes mellitus patients and type II diabetes mellitus patients requiring insulin therapy.
2. Patients currently being hospitalized or planning to hospitalize during the study period.
3. Patients were diagnosed with myocardial infarction or stroke within 1 year
4. End Stage Renal Disease patients requiring renal replacement therapy, Serum creatinine level is greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
5. Females who are pregnant
6. Hepatic failure (severe hepatic dysfunction). Liver Function Test (AST or ALT) is greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal.
7. Uncontrolled chronic lung disease.
8. Patients with known gallstone.
9. Patients who have cognitive disorder or psychiatric problems.
10. Patients who are taking anti-obesity medications such as Reductil, Xenical, etc., or patients are planning to receive the medications.
11. Patients who are taking Synthroid, diabetes medications or psychiatric medications which may affect on body weight.
12. Any clinically significant medical condition including neurologic disease, gastrointestinal disease or malignant tumor, etc., which may affect the test results, or any other medical condition which in the opinion of the investigator makes the patients unsuitable for participation in the trial.
13. Patients who have participated in other clinical trial (except for the observational study) within 12 weeks prior to screening visit.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* BMI\> = 25 mg / kg
* Holder smartphone
* Sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of physical or mental illnesses that prevent the realization of physical activity
* Be participating in another research project
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Patients who are on diet or drug treatment for weight loss
* History of myocardial infarction or stroke

Answer: B