Lay Health Coaches for Weight Loss: Peers Versus Mentors

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary aim of this study is to determine whether reduced intensity behavioral weight loss treatment (rBWL) + Peer Health Coaches yields significantly greater weight loss than rBWL + Mentor Health Coaches and rBWL alone.

Official Title
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A Randomized Trial Testing Lay Health Coaches for Obesity Treatment

Conditions
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Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss + Peer Health Coach
* Behavioral: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss + Mentor Health Coach
* Behavioral: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Body Mass Index between 30 and 40 Age between 40 and 60 years English speaking Exclusion Criteria: Are unwilling to communicate regularly with a weight loss coach Report not being able to walk 2 blocks (1/4 mile) without stopping Are currently participating in a weight loss program, taking a weight loss medication, have a history of bariatric surgery, or lost ≥ 5% of body weight during the past 6-months Are pregnant, lactating, less than 6-months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the intervention timeframe 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 would jeopardize their safety if involved in a weight management program with diet and exercise guidelines Report conditions that, in the judgment of the PI, would render the participant unlikely to follow the study protocol (e.g., relocation, dementia, terminal illness, substance abuse).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 60 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
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss + Peer Health Coach<br> | Behavioral: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss + Peer Health Coach<br>* Participants will receive a 12-month reduced intensity group behavioral weight loss program. During weeks that there are no group meetings, participants will be coached by peers (i.e., other members of their weight loss group).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss + Mentor Health Coach<br> | Behavioral: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss + Mentor Health Coach<br>* Participants will receive a 12-month reduced intensity group behavioral weight loss program. During weeks that there are no group meetings, participants will be coached by a mentor (i.e., successful weight loser).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss<br> | Behavioral: Reduced Intensity Behavioral Weight Loss<br>* Participants will receive 12 months of a reduced intensity group behavioral weight loss program.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight change from the initial assessment to the 12-month assessment measured on a digital scale to the nearest 0.1-kilogram |  | baseline to 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Direction of social comparison between participants and their Peer or Mentor weight loss coach | Participants in rBWL + Peer and rBWL + Mentor will complete a questionnaire that assesses whether their progress on weight loss, diet, and activity are worse, similar to, or better than their coach's on a 5-point likert scale. Mean scores on this measure will be reported. | 2-weeks, 3-months, 6-months, 9-months, and 12-months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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obesity, weight loss, lay health coach, peer coach, mentor coach, reduced intensity weight loss program