A Technology-Based Intervention for the Reduction of Overweight and Obesity Among College Students

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability and efficacy of a two month technology-based weight loss program for overweight and obese college students.

Detailed Description
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A randomized controlled trial design will be employed to investigate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a technology-based weight loss pilot intervention for the reduction of overweight and obesity in college students. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) 8-week intervention group, or (2) 8-week attention control group. Both conditions include 8 weekly lessons over 8 weeks. Undergraduate students (n=100) age 18-22 years who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) will be recruited from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Measurements will be taken at baseline and 8 weeks. Since the study is a technology-based intervention, research staff will collect height and weight measures for BMI through a novel approach, utilizing Skype video conferencing.

Official Title
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The UTK Health Study A Technology-Based Weight Loss Intervention for the Reduction of Overweight and Obesity Among College Students.

Conditions
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Overweight and Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Intervention group
* Behavioral: attention control condition


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Eligibility will include UTK undergraduate students who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and between 18-22 years of age, with access to the Internet, a personal computer (laptop, tablet, or desktop computer), and a smartphone. Exclusion Criteria: Any individual who does not meet all the inclusion criteria will be excluded from participation in the study. Students who have a medical condition that precludes adherence to dietary recommendations Who are currently prescribed medications that may impact weight, or who are currently participating in or planning to participate in another weight loss programs in the next six months Who have been diagnosed with a major psychiatric illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression) within the last 12 months Who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next six months Who have given birth within the last six months Who have been diagnosed with any type of eating disorder within the past 12 months will be ineligible.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 22 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: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Lifestyle counseling<br>The intervention condition will contain multiple components: nutrition education, physical activity, social support, social media (Pinterest and Facebook), and smartphone applications for self-monitoring. Students in this condition will have access to the private study website, which will be the central platform for delivery of the program materials and social support. The website, developed using Wordpress.com, will include nutrition materials, exercise videos, a forum, and links to the study's Facebook and Pinterest pages | Behavioral: Intervention group<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: attention control condition<br>Students randomized to the attention control condition will receive educational emails three times per week. Nutrition materials will be sent once a week, and links to the YouTube exercise videos will be sent twice a week. At the start of the program, students will be emailed a link to the Pandora workout station. The materials sent to the control group will be the same materials posted on the website for the intervention group. Participants will access the emailed lessons and videos each week at their own convenience. Individuals in the attention control condition will not have access to the study website or social media pages. | Behavioral: attention control condition<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| body mass index (BMI) |  | 2 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| feasibility | A mixed methods approach, including online surveys and focus groups, was employed to assess the feasibility of the pilot study. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention data and self-reported records of participant engagement. | 2 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Technology, overweight, obesity, College Students