Web-Based Weight Loss & Weight Maintenance Intervention for Older Rural Women, Also Known as Women Weigh-in for Wellness
Condition: Overweight and Obesity
MeSH terms: Overweight; Weight Loss
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This project will evaluate an Internet delivery strategy to address weight loss and
      maintenance among rural midlife and older women.
    

Detailed description: 
      According to the National Institutes of Health, "obesity is one of the most daunting health
      challenges of the 21st century". Approximately 2/3 of all adults are overweight or obese.
      Efforts to abate the growing prevalence of obesity have not been successful. The Strategic
      Plan for NIH Obesity Research proposes preventing and treating obesity through lifestyle
      modification. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a theory-based
      intervention framed within the Health Promotion Model (HPM) in facilitating weight loss and
      maintenance through promotion of healthy eating and physical activity among an underserved,
      vulnerable population of overweight or obese rural women aged 40-69. During these years,
      women experience increases in peri- and post-menopausal health risks that are magnified if
      they are overweight or obese. Weight loss will reduce risks and enhance functional status as
      they age. Maintenance of weight loss will be emphasized. The Internet offers a way to reach
      isolated rural women who have limited options for weight loss guidance. PUBLIC HEALTH
      RELEVANCE: Obesity is recognized as a major and growing public health problem. While many
      weight loss programs have been successful in the short term, they have not been successful in
      helping to maintain weight loss.
    

Intervention name(s): Experimental: Web-based only (WO) weight intervention; Experimental: WO plus peer-led discussion board (WD); Experimental: WO & professional email counseling (WE)
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The WO intervention included evidence-based lifestyle modification for healthy eating and activity, with self-monitoring and goal setting, and messages based on constructs from the Health Promotion Model across 3 phases. The intent of the phases was to deliver more intensive intervention during Phase 1, transitioning to less intensive intervention during phase 2, to providing support for self managed weight maintenance during Phase 3.; Includes WO intervention plus asynchronous discussion board managed by peer leader, whose identity is masked. The peer leader who posted theme-based messages, called primers, that were consistent with WO themes across phases.; Includes WO intervention plus professional email counseling provided by a registered dietitian whose identity is masked. The email counselor is responsible for reviewing eating, activity, weight logs, and goals on the web-site and send e-mail feedback, in addition to responding to email questions. The e-mail process will follow the 5A's Model for Behavioral Counseling (assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange) that was adapted for this study.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Care Provider)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Overweight; Obesity; Rural Health; Weight Loss; Weight Maintenance; Rural Middle Aged and Older Women; Web Intervention Weight Loss; Class I, II, & III obese (BMI 28 to 45)