Daily Weight Feedback for Wheelchair Users to Promote Weight Loss

Wheelchair users have about twice the prevalence of obesity than the general population. There is also very little or no technology to which they have access to measure their weight frequently in their homes. Research however, has shown that monitoring your body weight frequently (i.e. daily) yields significantly better weight loss and weight maintenance results. This research has never included wheelchair users because they have not had access to technology to be able to measure their weight daily. The E-scale was developed as a weight monitoring technology for wheelchair users and has been tested for precision and accuracy in the laboratory. The goal of this study is to determine the usefulness, feasibility and efficacy of the E-scale system coupled with a standardized behavioral treatment weight-loss intervention for overweight or obese wheelchair users.

Up to fifteen overweight or obese wheelchair users will be enrolled in a 13 week study that includes standard behavioral treatment (SBT) for weight loss, which focuses on diet, physical activity, and behavioral strategies (e.g., goal setting, self-monitoring) to support lifestyle changes specifically for people with mobility impairments. The subjects will also be provided the E-scale to track their weight daily. The outcome measure include usefulness (subjective feedback from a survey about the program/E-scale), feasibility (accuracy and repeatable measurements from the E-scale) and efficacy (improvements in weight and other measures of health) of the weight loss program coupled with the E-scale at the end of 13 weeks.

Study hypotheses are:

Hypothesis 1: The E-scale will be useful based on self-reported feedback from wheelchair users by more than 50% stating that the E-scale is easy to use, their preferred weight monitoring system, them feeling that they would use the E-scale if it was available for them to purchase.

Hypothesis 2: The E-scale will be feasible by providing accurate (+/- 2 lbs. from a calibrated scale measurement) and repeatable (<3lbs difference from day-to-day) weight measurements and by the wheelchair users continuing to use the scale more than 70% of the days of the study.

Hypothesis 3: The E-scale coupled with the weight loss intervention will demonstrate efficacy by wheelchair users having significant improvements in weight, abdominal girth, body fat percentage, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

This research will determine whether wheelchair users find the E-scale to be useful and feasible as a way to monitor their weight in their homes. It will also show whether wheelchair users, like the general population, have better weight loss outcomes when they monitor their weight daily. This could lead to refinement of the E-scale and a push for more available technology for wheelchair users to monitor their weight at home which could in turn lead to a decrease in the prevalence of obesity among wheelchair users.

Inclusion criteria

• Use Wheelchair as primary means of mobility
• Uses a bed with 4 legs
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥27 and ≤40.0
• Has daily access to Internet
• Currently owns or willing to use an android device
• Provides physician clearance to participate in a weight loss intervention
• Speaks English

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of an unstable condition requiring physician-supervised diet and exercise (e.g., diabetes, recent myocardial infarction)
• Presence of condition precluding engagement in exercise at moderate intensity (e.g., asthma, congestive heart failure, etc.)
• Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant during study
• Currently being treated for any psychological issues or problems, taking any psychotropic medications, or receiving treatment with psychotropic medications within the previous 6 months
• Reported alcohol intake > 4 drinks/day
• Reported participation in a formal weight loss program, loss of ≥5% weight in the past 6 months, or current use of weight loss medication.
• History of bariatric surgery (lap-band, gastric bypass, etc.)
• Planned extended vacations, absences, or relocation during study
• A score ≥20 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
• A classification of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder on the Eating Disorder Diagnosis Scale (EDDS)