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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03491293

Piloting Visual Chat in Internet Obesity Treatment

CHAT is an internet-based weight loss research program designed for women with overweight or obesity who want to lose weight through dietary change and increased physical activity. Participants will be randomized into a group-based online program who meet via a text chat or a video chat.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States

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About this study

The overall goal of this project is to determine whether weight losses can be improved if visual chat and electronic smart scales are added to an established 6-month online weight loss program. The primary aim is to assess weight change differences between subjects randomized to receive an Internet program alone (with text chat; INTERNET) vs. an Internet program with visual chat and electronic scales (VIDEO INTERNET). A secondary aim is to evaluate differences in social support experienced by subjects in both conditions. Overweight and obese adults (n=40) at two study sites (UVM and the University of South Carolina) will be randomly assigned to Internet (n=20) or Video Internet (n=20). All participants will receive the same 24 week web-based group weight control program which features synchronous facilitated chats and online behavioral tools. The only difference will be the delivery of the chat (text vs. visual) and the electronic smart scales given to the VIDEO INTERNET group. Assessments will be conducted at 0, 2 and 6 months and will include measures of body weight, treatment engagement (e.g., attendance, self-monitoring, website utilization), social support and treatment satisfaction.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years old
  • BMI between 25 and 55
  • Free of medical problems that would preclude participation in a behavioral weight reduction program containing an exercise component
  • Not currently pregnant or pregnant in the previous 6 months or breastfeeding
  • Must have a computer at home or work with access to the Internet
  • Only one member of a household is eligible to participate
  • Must successfully complete a self-monitoring diary of foods consumed for 3 days
  • must be willing to share access to self monitoring information collected via My Fitness Pal by friending the CHAT research team
  • Not currently on medication that might affect weight loss
  • Not enrolled in another weight loss program

Exclusion criteria

  • BMI less than 25 or more than 55
  • Lost 10 pounds or more in the last 6 months
  • Had a heart attack or stroke in the past 6 months
  • Ever had weight loss surgery
  • Currently taking medications for weight loss
  • Persons required by their doctor to follow a special diet (other than low fat)
  • Plans to move from the area in the upcoming 9 months
  • Schedules that make it likely someone would have difficulty attending the scheduled chat groups

Treatment and study plan

Behavioral Weight Loss + Text

Behavioral

Participants will attend weekly one hour classes on line. They will type their input and responses within the chat room. They will record their calorie and fat intake daily and weigh themselves daily. Interventionists will review the diaries weekly and provide feedback to reinforce or shape new behaviors and to identify high risk situations for problem solving.

Behavioral Weight Loss + Video

Behavioral

Participants will attend weekly one hour classes on line. They will have audio and video within the chat room, and will talk with their facilitator and classmates during their weekly meeting. They will record their calorie and fat intake daily and weigh themselves daily. Interventionists will review the diaries weekly and provide

Primary outcomes

  1. Weight loss from baseline

    Time frame: baseline, 2 months, 6 months

    The investigators will assess weight change differences between subjects randomized to receive an internet program alone with text chat vs. an internet program with visual chat and bodytrace smart scales. Weight will be assessed at baseline, 2 months after intervention begins, and at the end of intervention using a calibrated digital scale (Tanita, WB800S) with subjects in street clothes, without shoes.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Attendance at chat

    Time frame: 6 months

    The group facilitator will record attendance at chats. Attendance at chat will be compared by treatment arm. Rate of attendance is calculated as number of meetings attended out of a total possible 24 meetings over the course of the study.

  2. Self monitoring dietary intake

    Time frame: 6 months

    Number of weekly journals submitted out of a possible 24 weeks total will give the investigators the rate of self monitoring. Rates of self monitoring will be compared by treatment arm.

  3. Self monitoring weight

    Time frame: 6 months

    Number of daily weights submitted over the course of 24 weeks divided by the possible total of weights will give the rate of weight self-monitoring (7/week x 24 weeks = 168 possible weights). The VIDEO arm will be provided with BodyTrace electronic scales that report weight to a secure database via cellular connectivity. Subjects in the TEXT arm will report their weights to their facilitator using their own digital scale at home.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Vermont

Other

Collaborators

  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Tennessee

Registry information

Acronym: CHAT

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Apr 9, 2018
Registry last updated
Dec 6, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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