NCT04302389

Single Arm Trial of a Multi-component Commercial Digital Weight Loss Program

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 153 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Connecticut · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of the proposed research project is to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of an online multicomponent commercial weight loss program and to understand the relationship between program engagement and weight loss and health outcomes.

Detailed description

Technology is changing the opportunities to deliver behavioral weight loss programs and providing a way to extend their reach to wider audiences. Commercial programs that were once completely delivered via in person meetings at brick-and-mortar businesses are now expanding to virtual programs. WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) is an industry leader and one of few commercial programs that has significant evidence for efficacy on weight loss. Their program currently includes a mobile app - that helps people follow the WW Program, rewards for consistent tracking and achieving milestones, an online community to connect with other users, and a 24/7 text chat with coaches. Previous research by the investigators and others reveals that greater engagement in an online group-based weight loss program is associated with greater weight loss. We have found that an online group coaching program paired with a calorie tracking mobile app is effective at producing weight loss. WW is testing a new comprehensive program that involves an updated program paired with virtual workshops that offer actionable behavior change techniques for members, led by a trained WW coach. They have agreed to fund us to perform a one-arm trial of their new comprehensive program that includes a holistic approach to healthy lifestyle (activity, diet, and mindset). Findings will inform the continued development of this program. Our aims are as follows: 1) To examine the preliminary outcomes and acceptability of a multicomponent online commercial weight loss program that includes a mobile app, incentives for tracking, weekly virtual workshops, and an online community. Preliminary outcome is defined as weight change from baseline to 3 and 6-months. Secondary preliminary outcomes include changes in diet quality, physical activity, quality of life, sleep quality, and food cravings from baseline to 6 months. Acceptability of each program component and the overall program will be evaluated at 6 months. 2) To examine whether greater app use, greater engagement in the online community, and engagement with a higher number of peers (in the online community) predict greater weight loss at 3- and 6-months. 3) To examine the associations between total use of program components (and each individual program component) and change in weight. We hypothesize that greater use of program components (individually and total) will predict greater weight loss.

Conditions

• Weight Loss

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	myWW App, Virtual Workshops, and Private Facebook Group	The 6-month intervention includes the use of WW's mobile app, weekly virtual workshops, and a private online community. Participants are given a personalized food plan based on expert healthy eating guidelines and the latest nutritional science, an activity plan designed to promote regular physical activity and techniques to help shift members towards a helpful mindset for lasting change all within the WW app. Participants will attend weekly virtual workshops led by an expert WW Coach. The coach will help with goal setting, overcoming setbacks, and follow-up on progress toward goals each week. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a private Facebook group that gives participants an opportunity to receive motivational support from each other. Participants can post about their journey through photos, videos, and comments.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-02-10
• Primary completion: 2021-11-01
• Completion: 2021-11-01
• First posted: 2020-03-10
• Last updated: 2025-08-07
• Results posted: 2025-08-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States