NCT05295849

Proof-of-Concept Study of an Integrated Mobile and Social Network Weight Loss Intervention

Building Habits Together: Feasibility Trial of an Integrated Mobile and Social Network Weight Loss Intervention

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Connecticut · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this 6 week single-arm pilot is to evaluate the feasibility of the Habit app plus Facebook group intervention in 20 adults with obesity. Participants will participate in a 6-week version of the intervention which involves receiving a feed based on the Diabetes Prevention Program in a private Facebook group, access to a professional weight loss counselor in the Facebook group, MyFitnessPal, and the Habit app.

Detailed description

The purpose of this single-arm pilot is to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention in 20 adults with obesity. We define feasibility as use of the mobile app features (dietary self-monitoring, slip tracker, and problem sharing/solving), retention, engagement (overall, problem solving), acceptability, and burden. This study will give us information that we can use to modify the intervention and our procedures before the larger pilot study. We will enroll 20 adults with obesity to participate in the 6-week pilot. Eligible participants will receive a link to complete surveys, mailed a wifi scale, and asked to provide staff with login information for the scale so weight can be recorded during assessments. They will then have a 60-minute call with a counselor to 1) download and receive training on program technology (MyFitnessPal, Habit app, and Fitbit scale) and 2) be entered into the Facebook group. Participants will participate in a 6-week version of the intervention which involves receiving a feed based on the Diabetes Prevention Program in a private Facebook group, access to a professional weight loss counselor in the Facebook group, MyFitnessPal, and the Habit app. Every Monday in the group, participants will be given one diet and one exercise goal for the week and every Sunday they will be asked to share their progress on those goals. Every Friday they will participate in a "weigh in" thread in the group. In addition to the group, for the first two weeks, participants will be asked to use MyFitnessPal; for the second two weeks, they will be asked to use the Temptation/Slip Tracker and Exercise Planner; and for the final two weeks they will be asked to use the Problem Solver. We will ask each participant to share at least one diet or exercise problem with the group over the 6 weeks and to participate in each other's problem solving posts. Participants may attend optional weekly breakout sessions where weight loss related problems will be discussed. On the final day of the intervention, a post will go up in the group asking for a volunteer who used the app enough to brainstorm how to improve it to participate in a team meeting to discuss how to improve the program. If more than one participant volunteers, one will be randomly selected to participate. After the 6-week intervention, participants will complete the weight loss problem solving skills survey, provide a final weight, and complete individual phone interviews to discuss their experience. We will convene a team meeting with the investigators, interventionists, and a participant to discuss the results and any modifications that should be made to the program before progressing to the pilot study.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Building Habits Together Online Weight Loss 6-Week Usability Trial	The intervention includes: the Facebook-delivered Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Intervention, MyFitnessPal and the Habit app. The DPP will be delivered within a counselor-led private Facebook group. It uses behavioral strategies to help participants 1) achieve a program assigned calorie goal based on amount needed to lose 1-2 pounds per week, 2) develop a healthy diet, and 3) engage in 150-300 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise. Participants will be instructed to use MyFitnessPal for the first two weeks, the Habit app slip tracker and exercise planner for two weeks, and the Habit app problem solver for two weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-07-18
• Primary completion: 2022-08-31
• Completion: 2022-08-31
• First posted: 2022-03-25
• Last updated: 2024-11-26
• Results posted: 2024-11-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States