Exploring Beliefs and Behaviors About Weight Loss in Couples

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Obesity
• Interventions: Behavioral: Mental Contrasting- Couple; Behavioral: Mental Contrasting- Individual

• Registration Number: NCT01777711
• Lead Sponsor: Duke University

Brief Summary

This study explores among couples in which both members are obese how the use of mental contrasting along with implementation intentions influence intentions and behavior related to weight loss (eating healthy and exercise), actual weight loss, as well as potential reasons (i.e., mediators) why these changes may occur (e.g., social support, changes in beliefs about weight loss, confidence in being able to eat healthy and diet).

Detailed Description

This study explores among couples in which both members are obese how the use of mental contrasting along with implementation intentions influence intentions and behaviors related to weight loss (eating healthy and exercise), actual weight loss, as well as potential reasons (i.e., mediators) why these changes may occur (e.g., social support, changes in beliefs about weight loss, confidence in being able to eat healthy and diet). In mental contrasting procedures, people first imagine a desired future (e.g., eating healthy) and then reflect on the current negative reality (e.g., I snack too much). This process makes people aware of changes needed in the present to obtain future positive outcomes, and thus aids in increasing goal commitment and goal pursuit. In implementation intention procedures, individuals form "if-then" statements about how they will enact their goals in their everyday lives. Implementation intentions are highly effective at helping individuals achieve health behavior change. Recent studies suggest that the combined use of mental contrasting and implementation intentions produce more behavior change than either technique alone (e.g., diet) In this study, investigators test whether these procedures vary in their effectiveness when couple members are instructed to focus on themselves versus the relationship, the latter intended to instill a communal coping mindset (i.e., that losing weight is an issue that needs to be addressed as a couple enacted through mutually cooperative behaviors).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2012-10
• Study First Submitted: 2013-01-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-01-25
• Study First Posted: 2013-01-29
• Primary Completion: 2014-04
• Study Completion: 2014-04
• Status Verified: 2014-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-09-25
• Last Update Posted: 2014-09-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 140

Inclusion Criteria

• Married couples or couples living as married
• living in the same household for at least six months
• both members of couple are obese (BMI > 30).
• must be 18 years or older
• can read and write in English

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Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Couple condition	Mental Contrasting- Couple	Couples randomized to the couple condition will undergo the experimental manipulations and both partners will complete all study measures. Both members of the couple will be given body mass index (BMI) based on measurements taken during the intervention. Both will complete three surveys on paper and do some prompted planning and goal-setting together regarding weight loss through healthier eating and physical activity.
Individual Condition	Mental Contrasting- Individual	Couples randomized to the individual condition will be stratified on gender and one partner, chosen at random, will undergo the experimental manipulations and complete all study surveys while the other will not (heretofore called the active partner vs. the passive partner). The active partner will receive BMI feedback based on measurements taken during the intervention appointment, complete three surveys, and verbally state some goals and plans for weight loss to the passive partner. The passive partner will not complete any study materials or participate in the intervention during the session.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
weight loss	one month	Measure weight loss between baseline and one month visits

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
dietary changes	one month	Look at dietary changes in self-report questionnaire.
number of minutes of physical activity	one month	Measure minutes of physical activity through self-report questionnaire.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Duke University Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Durham, North Carolina, United States