HealthyMe Online Weight Management Education/HealthyMe at Home

Recruitment will occur in person or by phone by the Practice Based Research Network (PBRN). Prior to recruitment, patients will have been identified as potentially eligible by having a BMI of ≥30<50, age 40-64 years, Community Health Center visit within 12 months and no type 2 diabetes, psychosis or bipolar disorder, current cancer treatment or medication prescriptions for drugs that may unduly influence weight. All of this would be determined from the Regenstrief Medical Records System, by referral from HealthyMe staff, or a CHC primary care provider. Potentially eligible persons must then be approved for the study and moderate-intensity exercise by their primary care provider before the recruitment call and screener from the PBRN. The screener assesses other eligibility criteria such as recent weight loss program enrollment, current physical activity level, residence plans, phone availability, etc. Those who are eligible and initially interested will be referred to the study staff.

Staff will call, describe the study and arrange for an in-home appointment with the potential participant. At the participant's home, the staff will again describe the study and consent the participant. The first assessment will take place at this time. The baseline assessment pertains of demographic questions, living situation questions, smoking status, weight history, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), New Vital Sign (NVS) Nutrition Literacy and Numeracy Survey, the Subjective Numeracy Scale, Short Form 36, Social Support and Exercise, Social Support and Eating Habits, Exercise enjoyment scales, Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle (WEL), low fat diet efficacy scale, exercise self efficacy scale, and an online dietary recall (ASA 24) provided by the National Cancer Institute as well as blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference. They will also be asked to wear an armband accelerometer for two weeks to let the staff know how much energy they are expending.

The participants will be randomized to three different arms: usual care, in center education and exercise, or education and exercise via video conference. The attached handouts, placemats, as well as portion control dinnerware will be given to the active arms of the study. The sessions for both groups will occur twice a week for approximately 75 minutes. Those randomized to the video conference arm will have a computer with Internet access installed in their home. All Internet related expenses will be covered by the study during the duration of the classes and the computer will be removed at the end of the study.

Sessions for the two active arms will occur twice per month in months 6-9 and once a month for months 10-12. They will include an exercise and educational portion to last about 75 minutes.

We will be measuring change in weight, body measurements and improvements in the NVS at six months and have a final assessment at 12 months. They will again be asked to wear the accelerometer for two weeks and to answer the questions in the attached survey. Their weight and blood pressure will again be recorded.

During the course of the study, participants may need to be called to set up appointments, remind them of sessions or assist them with their equipment.

Inclusion criteria

• One or more community health visits in the past 12 months
• Body mass index (BMI) of ≥30<50
• English Speaking
• Access to a telephone
• A residence
• Willingness to be randomized
• Willingness to have a computer installed in the home
• Weight loss referral from CHC provider

Exclusion criteria

• Current diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
• Current treatment for cancer
• Current diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder
• Illness that might be associated with weight change, such as asthma, (because of treatment with corticosteroids), psychosis
• Use of medications that might cause weight gain or loss such as hypoglycemic oral medicines or insulin, corticosteroids, some anti-depressants, weight loss medications
• Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
• Receiving disability insurance
• Pregnant or nursing in the past six months, or plans to become so within 12 months
• Residence outside of Marion County, Indiana
• Residence relocation plans within 12 months
• Enrolled in weight loss program within past 6 months
• Meeting physical activity guidelines
• Planned or prior bariatric surgery
• Substance abuse
• History of treatment for eating disorder
• Unstable weight gain or loss of ≥5% in the last 3 months