Impact of Volunteer Peer-Led Intervention for Weight Control in Primary Care

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: The specific objective of this research proposal is to determine the short-term efficacy of a primary care-based weight control intervention in which successful volunteer peers deliver a group-based program.

The purpose of the study is to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a successful volunteer peer-led weight control program compared to a control condition to determine intervention efficacy at 3 months. Six peer leaders from 2 primary care clinics will be recruited and trained to conduct the intervention. Overweight and obese patients (n=80) will be recruited (randomized by individual) to determine weight loss at 3 months (primary outcome). The program consists of 12 weekly weight loss sessions led by a successful volunteer peer leader using an adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program to help participants lose weight.

Detailed Description: The intervention will consist of 12 weekly one-hour weight loss sessions led by successful volunteer peers. The initial weight loss session will be conducted by the peer leaders with oversight by the PI. This session will serve to introduce the program and give an overview of program. The remaining sessions, conducted by co-peer leaders, will utilize an adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program. This adaptation allows for use in a group setting and facilitation by a lay individual.

Control Condition: Participants in the control condition will be given written information at the baseline visit from the NIH website "Aim for a Healthy Weight" to provide a basic understanding of weight loss and access to basic online resources. We expect that use of the website may result in some weight loss. However, similar information-only interventions have had a very small effect, which is accounted for in the sample size calculation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Successful at volitional weight loss, defined as at least 10% of their initial body weight and maintenance for ≥ 1 year
Fluently speak and read English
Willing to volunteer 1 hour each week as a group leader
Able and willing to give informed consent.
Must have internet access

Participant Inclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria

Current or planned pregnancy within the next year
Medical or other contraindications to weight loss, including, but not limited to, history of:
1. Myocardial infarction
2. Stroke
3. Unstable angina
4. Congestive heart failure
5. Cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer)
History of gastric bypass surgery or scheduled surgery for this purpose
Current use of prescription medication for weight loss
Weight loss of > 5% of current body weight in previous 6 months
Contraindications to weight loss
Evidence of severe cognitive impairment or major psychiatric illness
Plans to move in the next 6 months
Answering yes to any question on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Weight Loss Groups	Weight loss Groups	Participants in this arm will receive peer-led facilitation within groups using an adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percent Change in Weight	12 weeks after initial consent	We will assess our participants to evaluate the percent change in weight over the 12 week period of the study using a scale.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical Activity	12 weeks after initial consent	Assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
BMI	12 weeks after initial consent	Change in BMI from baseline to follow up will be assessed using a scale and stadiometer.
Blood Pressure	12 weeks after initial consent	Blood pressure will be recorded using an OMRON automatic blood pressure cuff.
Dietary Intake	12 weeks after initial consent	Assessed using the NCI Dietary History Questionnaire