Web-Based Interventions Alone or Supplemented with Peer-Led Support or Professional Email Counseling for Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance in Women from Rural Communities: Results of a Clinical Trial

Authors

• Patricia A. Hageman, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
• Carol H. Pullen, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
• Melody Hertzog, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
• Bunny J. Pozehl, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
• Christine Eisenhauer, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
• Linda S. Boeckner, University of Nebraska--LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Journal of Obesity Volume 2017, Article ID 1602627, 21 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1602627

Comments

Copyright © 2017 Patricia A. Hageman et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract

Objective. This trial compared the effectiveness of a web-based only (WO) intervention with web-based supplemented by peer-led discussion (WD) or professional email counseling (WE) across 3 phases to achieve weight loss and weight maintenance in women from underserved rural communities.

Methods. 301 women (BMI of 28–45 kg/m²) randomly assigned to groups participated in guided weight loss (baseline to 6 months), guided weight loss and maintenance (6 to 18 months), and self-managed weight maintenance (18 to 30 months).

Results. Retention was 88.7%, 76.5%, and 71.8% at 6, 18, and 30 months, respectively. Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated no group differences in change in weight within any phases. At 6 months, observed mean (SD) weight loss was 5.1 (6.0) kg in WO, 4.1 (5.6) kg in WD, and 6.0 (6.3) kg in WE, with 42%, 38%, and 51%, respectively, meeting ≥ 5% weight loss. These proportions dropped by a third after phase 2 with no further change during phase 3.

Conclusion. Web-based interventions assisted women from rural communities in achieving 6-month weight loss, with weight regain by half at 30 months. No group differences were potentially due to the robust nature of the web-based intervention.