Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01880060

Tailored Worksite Weight Control Programs

Given the prevalence of overweight and obesity, worksite-based health promotion programs have been recommended due to their potential reach and social support impact. Within worksite contexts, many strategies to prevent and treat obesity have focused on educational programs delivered in person or to small groups that target knowledge acquisition and strategies targeted at individuals to improve their dietary and activity practices. These programs have been criticized because they typically reach a small percentage of workers-and seldom those that could benefit most, are of short duration, and have typically small effects that are not sustained. They have also typically been conducted in large worksites that have the greatest resources. The lack of success of these programs may be due to: 1) inadequate intervention intensity, 2) implementation challenges, and 3) a lack of theoretical models as the bases for intervention development. To overcome the limitations of previous research we will conduct a 2 group randomized controlled trial to determine the reach and effectiveness of an extensive intervention that: (a) is based upon sound theory, (b) is delivered primarily through scalable interactive technologies, and (c) leverages the existing organizational and environmental context of the workplace.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

This study will test the utility of a social ecological theory, individually-targeted internet-based intervention with monetary incentives to reduce the weight of overweight and obese employees (INCENT) when compared to a low-intensity, internet-based weight loss program without incentives (Livin My Weigh). Participants in INCENT will receive daily e-mail support that facilitates goal setting, regular assessments of body weight, and incentives based on percent of original body weight lost at the end of each quarter over the 12-month program. The e-mail supports will target improving perceptions of self-efficacy and outcome expectations related to weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight. In addition e-mail support will facilitate participant problem solving and identification of resources for healthful eating and physical activity at home, in their neighborhoods, and at their worksite. Participants in Livin My Weigh (LMW)will receive evidence-based physical activity and nutrition information to facilitate weight loss through quarterly newsletters and quarterly educational sessions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Employed full time at an eligible worksite
  • Access to the internet
  • BMI > 25

Exclusion criteria

  • BMI < 25
  • no internet access

Treatment and study plan

INCENT weight loss program

Behavioral

Tangible incentives seem to be effective in enhancing short term, but not long-term weight loss. The monetary rewards are based on participant quarterly weigh-ins and the monetary amount of incentive will be identical to the percentage of body weight lost. Participants who lose 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% of their body weight will then be compensated with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 dollars per month. Dollar amounts for participants that lose more than 5% of initial body weight then increase by increments of 5 (e.g., 5-9% weight loss = $5; 10-14%=$10; 15-19%=$15; >20%=$20). These incentives will be based on quarterly weight and all percentage weight loss is calculated based on a participant's initial weight. commencement). Participants receive monthly checks that reflect the percent weight loss.

Livin My Weigh

Behavioral

Livin My Weigh is an internet-delivered weight loss program without daily support or financial incentives. Participants receive quarterly newsletters with tips on weight loss, increasing physical activity, and menu suggestions, and optional quarterly educational sessions. Weight is measured in the same manner as the INCENT participants.

Primary outcomes

  1. Reach and representativeness of participants in the INCENT intervention

    Time frame: 12 months

    Determine the reach (participation rate and representativeness)of the INCENT intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Weight Loss

    Time frame: 6 and 12 months

    Determine, using a cluster (worksite) 2 group randomized design, if the INCENT intervention will produce objectively verified decreases in body weight in the short term (6 months) and enhance longer-term (12 months) weight control for overweight and obese employees when compared to control.

Other outcomes

  1. Composite Measure of Intervention Costs

    Time frame: 12 months

    Evaluate the cost and cost effectiveness of each intervention arm based on: A) cost per 5% reduction in body weight, B) cost per unit changes in productivity and absenteeism.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Jun 18, 2013
Registry last updated
Jun 7, 2023

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.