NCT05529758

Virtual Third-Wave Intervention for Internalized Weight Bias Combined With a Weight Loss Program

A Third-Wave Intervention for Internalized Weight Bias Combined With a Weight Loss Program Using Video Conferencing Software

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 28 (actual)
• Sponsor: East Carolina University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The current study aims to test a third-wave based IWB intervention paired with a standard BWLP delivered through video conferencing software.

Detailed description

Internalized weight bias (IWB), has been shown to impact mental (e.g., depression and anxiety) and physical health (e.g., cardiometabolic functioning), as well as weight loss and weight loss associated behaviors (e.g., interference with exercise and healthy eating). These associated behaviors especially pose a risk for weight regain and disruption of healthy weight loss. Therefore, given the association between IWB and weight loss associated behaviors, as well as the psychological and health risks associated with IWB, it is clear that IWB interventions are also needed independently and in conjunction with behavioral weight loss programs (BWLPs). Interventions using third-wave strategies (such as acceptance commitment therapy; ACT) have begun to show promise in reducing IWB, but have not yet looked at this therapy in conjunction with a BWLP. Finally, there has also been a growing interest in and need for telehealth-based programs and interventions. The COVID19 pandemic demonstrated a clear need for efficacious telehealth programs, and a further benefit is that these programs may reach populations with limited access to resources (i.e., rural populations). Thus, the current study aims to examine a third-wave based IWB intervention paired with a standard BWLP delivered through video conferencing software.

Conditions

• Weight Loss
• Weight Prejudice

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Internalized Weight Bias Intervention	ACT-based programs and self-compassion have shown promise throughout research for lowering IWB (Berman et al., 2016; Levin et al., 2018; Lillis et al., 2009; Palmeira, Cunha, \& Pinto-Gouveia, 2017; Palmeira, Pinto-Gouveia, \& Cunha, 2017; Forbes et al., 2020). Therefore, using techniques from prior ACT- and self-compassion based programs, a weight bias reduction intervention will be administered. Session topics will include psychoeducation and coping for weight bias and internal weight bias, and these topics will be viewed through a self-compassionate and ACT-based lens (for example, participants may defuse from internal critical thoughts rather than challenge them). Sessions will also cover acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness, committed action, and the dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) DEARMAN skill.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-08-15
• Primary completion: 2023-05-15
• Completion: 2023-08-15
• First posted: 2022-09-07
• Last updated: 2024-03-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States