OBJECTIVES: As the prevalence of @entity28 in US adults continues to increase, addressing weight control will require an effective, lower-cost intervention. A model for delivering free peer-to-peer counselling has the potential to create a paradigm shift in the way weight and other @entity102 are addressed in the US. The objective of this study is to understand the potential for utilising successful peer volunteers as counsellors in weight control programmes and as a possible intervention strategy to address the global @entity28 epidemic in a cost-effective manner. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study surveyed a nationwide panel of US adults (n=806) in 2010. METHODS: We created survey items to identify @entity1 interest in three specific types of weight control programmes: a free programme led by successful peers, a paid programme led by successful peers and a programme led by trained paid professionals. Statistical analysis was conducted in 2011. Logistic regression was used to adjust for the effect of potential confounders on @entity1 interest in different weight control programmes and willingness to volunteer. RESULTS: More than three times as many subjects (27.4% vs. 8.3%) were interested in the free peer-led programme versus the expert-led paid option. Of @entity1 who had ever had successful weight loss, 15% were interested in volunteering to help others lose weight. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals appear to be willing to both attend and conduct peer volunteer-led weight control groups. Further research is necessary to develop and test interventions to assess the effectiveness of such interventions.

Feasibility of utilising an all-volunteer workforce as a disruptive innovation for the US XXXX epidemic.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'participant'] @entity102 :: ('MESH:D002908', 'Disease') :: ['chronic illnesses'] @entity28 :: ('MESH:D009765', 'Disease') :: ['obesity']
@entity28 :: (MESH:D009765,Disease) :: ['obesity']
