Accessible Weight Loss for Adults With Low Vision: A Feasibility Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will examine the feasibility of an all-remote approach to enrollment in and implementation of an 8-week weight loss program for adults with low vision. The weight loss program will provide asynchronous support (information, automated texting feedback, tailored emails) for adopting and maintaining lifestyle-based strategies for safe and effective weight loss.

Official Title
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Accessible Weight Loss: Examining the Feasibility of a Technology-Based Weight Loss Program for Adults With Low Vision

Conditions
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Overweight and Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: weight loss strategies
* Behavioral: text-based and email feedback


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥18 English speaking BMI ≥ 25 and weight < 300lbs (weight limit due to scale limitations) Legally blind Have an email for personal use and ability to check and respond to email daily Have a smart phone with texting for personal use Sufficient internet plan for daily email checking Sufficient phone plan for 12 or more texts per week Ability to send and receive emails and text messages Ability to join a zoom call on a personal phone, tablet, or computer Ability to complete Qualtrics surveys Willing to lose weight through recommended dietary changes, weight tracking and physical activity Interest in one of the specific dietary strategies supported by the text messaging platform Willing to use the study scale with cellular technology to report weights Willing to join an 8-week weight loss program and interested in losing weight Completion of screening, enrollment and baseline data collection Exclusion Criteria: Lost 5% of body weight in the last 6 months Currently participating in a weight loss program or another weight loss study Previously diagnosed eating disorder, or treatment for an eating disorder Pregnant, nursing, or planned pregnancy in the next 6 months Planned weight loss surgery or procedure in the next 6 months Currently using medication for weight loss (prescribed or over the counter) History of cardiovascular events History of type 1 or type 2 diabetes Prescribed medication that might promote weight change such as lithium, steroids, or antipsychotics Medical contraindicate to weight loss (e.g., end-stage renal disease, cancer diagnosis with active/planned treatment) Psychiatric hospitalization in the past 12 months Investigator discretion for safety or to ensure appropriate treatment of study staff

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: weight loss program<br>Participants will receive recommendations on how to decrease caloric intake, monitor their weight and track the related behaviors and progress. The weight loss program will provide asynchronous support (information, automated texting feedback, tailored emails) for adopting and maintaining lifestyle-based strategies for safe and effective weight loss. | Behavioral: weight loss strategies<br>* Participants will receive recommendations on how to decrease caloric intake, monitor their weight and track the related behaviors and progress.<br>Behavioral: text-based and email feedback<br>* Participants will receive weekly text-based feedback based on dietary strategy tracking and weight tracking. Participants will receive tailored email support and synchronous problem solving sessions as needed.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Usability and helpfulness of program components at week 4 | Using descriptive statistics, examine 5-point Likert scale responses for the usability (0 = not at all easy to use; 4= extremely easy to use) and helpfulness (0 = not at all helpful; 4= extremely helpful) of specific program components at week 4. | week 4 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Usability and helpfulness of program components at week 8 | Using descriptive statistics, examine 5-point Likert scale responses for the usability (0 = not at all easy to use; 4= extremely easy to use) and helpfulness (0 = not at all helpful; 4= extremely helpful) of specific program components at week 8. | week 8 | 
| Program engagement at weeks 4 and 8 | Examine the percentage of weeks with at least one study weight and the percentage of days with responses to dietary tracking at weeks 4 and 8. | week 4 and 8 |