Feasibility of a Social Media-based Weight Loss Program for Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals
Condition: Obesity
MeSH terms: Weight Loss
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to see if it is practical to use social media-based and
      traditional online weight loss intervention components among low socioeconomic status
      participants using the Facebook social media (SM) and Fitbit self-monitoring platforms. Also,
      the study will test the effectiveness of recruiting participants via social media and at
      community events and locations. The results of this study will be used to inform future
      research studies.
    

Detailed description: 
      The primary objectives of the proposed research are to:

        1. assess the feasibility of social media-based (social support, social competition, and
           social rewards) and traditional online weight loss (education and goal setting)
           intervention components delivered to low-Socioeconomic Status (SES) participants using
           the Facebook SM and Fitbit self-monitoring platforms and

        2. develop and assess methods for recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of low-SES
           participants for a future randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of an
           SM-based weight loss intervention. The study team will assess feasibility by conducting
           a 12-week pilot test of traditional and social media-based weight loss intervention
           components followed by qualitative and quantitative assessment with pilot participants.

      The specific aims are:

      Aim 1- Assess trial feasibility: The study team will assess intervention processes critical
      to the success of a larger efficacy trial during the 12-week pilot including: (1) participant
      recruitment and retention, (2) participant use of intervention components, (3) use of data
      collection strategies and instruments.

      Aim 2 - Assess intervention acceptability: The study team will conduct structured interviews
      and surveys among participants to assess participants' experience during the intervention.
      This study focuses on: (1) intervention design and content, (2) participant use of
      intervention technologies (Facebook and Fitbit), (3) participant concerns about privacy, and
      (4) barriers and facilitators to recruitment, retention, and participation. Findings will be
      used to improve the design of a larger efficacy trial.

      Study Design: This study will employ a one group pre-post design.
    

Intervention name(s): Physical Activity; Diet; Social Support
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Fitbit Activity Monitor and IPAQ to give level of physical activity. Participants will be provided with education about physical activity recommendations and will be encouraged to set goals for improvement.; National Cancer Institute's ASA24 web-based dietary assessment tool to determine intake. Participants will be provided with education about healthy diets and will be encouraged to set goals for making enduring changes to dietary intake.; Social support will be determined via self report scale measure and objective collection of social media communications. Each participant will be contacted through social media regularly with dietary and physical activity information and asked to support other participants via encouragement and sharing of information.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: pre-post study design
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Cancer; Weight-Loss; Social Media