Feasibility Study for Collaborate2Lose

Inclusion criteria

(Veteran):

• Aged 18 years or older
• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
• Had at least one visit with their primary care provider at the Madison VA within the past year (in-person or telehealth)
• Weight ≤ 420lbs due to limit of the study scales
• Cohabitating and daily contact for at least the past 6 months with an adult who can provide support (e.g. spouse/domestic partner, sibling, friend, family member) during the study period
• Desire to lose weight
• Ability to speak English
• Agrees to attend visits per protocol
• Score of at least 4 out of 6 on a validated cognitive screener
• Access to hardware and internet connection to enable participation with approved virtual platform
• Individual email address
• Able to stand on a scale without assistance

Exclusion criteria

(Veteran):

• Medication other than metformin, incretin mimetics and incretin enhancers for type 2 diabetes due to increased risk for hypoglycemia
• Active dementia, psychiatric illness, or substance abuse
• History of bariatric surgery
• Diuretic medication doses higher than hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily, furosemide 40 mg daily, Torsemide 20 mg daily, Bumetanide 1 mg daily or any use of Metolazone). Use of potassium-sparing diuretics is acceptable.
• Chronic kidney disease at stage 4 or higher
• Participation in MOVE! in the past 3 months
• Currently enrolled in a research or clinical program focusing on lifestyle change
• Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant in the next 18 months, or breastfeeding
• Psychiatric illness not well-controlled by medication or therapy
• Score ≥ 8 on alcohol abuse screener
• Use of any drugs not prescribed, excluding cannabis
• Weight loss ≥ 10lb in the month prior to screening
• Living in a facility such as a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or assisted living facility
• Is unable to control what food is prepared and/or served in household
• Problems with hearing that prevent attendance to a virtual class and talking on the telephone
• Currently enrolled in a research or clinical program focusing on lifestyle change
• History of bariatric surgery (reconfirm) or planning to have bariatric surgery in the next 18 months
• Current use of weight loss medications
• Worsening heart failure requiring medication dose change in the past 6 months
• Hospitalization for heart problems in the past 6 months
• Current treatment or treatment in the past 6 months for cancer (besides non-melanoma skin cancers)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness at rest or associated with physical activity
• Chest pain in the past 6 months

Inclusion criteria

(support person):

• Aged 18 years or older
• Willing to participate
• Score of at least 4 out of 6 on a validated cognitive screener
• Ability to speak English

Exclusion criteria

(support person):

• Underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2)
• Active dementia, uncontrolled psychiatric illness, or substance abuse
• Living in a facility such as a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or assisted living facility
• Problems with hearing that prevent attendance to a virtual class and talking on the telephone
• Any severe health issue that would impair the partner's ability to provide support