NCT02616237

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-month weight loss intervention program for obese working adults through a popular social networking site - Facebook.

Trial Health

80
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
59

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable obesity

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2014

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2015

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 24, 2015

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 26, 2015

Completed
Last Updated

August 24, 2016

Status Verified

August 1, 2016

Enrollment Period

1.5 years

First QC Date

November 24, 2015

Last Update Submit

August 22, 2016

Conditions

Obesity

Keywords

Chinese populationacupressurephysical activitynutritionFacebook

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Changes in body weight

    Weights will be taken in light clothes without shoes using a digital scale

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • Changes in Body Mass Index

    Height will be taken at baseline using a wall-mounted stadiometer. BMI will be calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2)

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • Changes in waist circumference

    Waist circumference will be measured by using an inelastic tape measure

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Changes in Stages of Change

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • Changes in weight self-efficacy

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • Changes in physical activity self-efficacy

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • Changes in weight decisional balance

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • Changes in social support

    Measures are done in three time points: baseline, 3 months and 6 months

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Lifestyle Intervention: The interventions include participation in a private research group on Facebook for health education, self monitoring and social support. Participants will receive 12 weekly lessons related to nutrition, physical activity, Chinese food therapy, acupressure, weight loss. A registered nutritionist and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will join the Facebook group as health partners. Both of them are also registered nurses. Besides the Facebook contents, the participants will also receive government printed health information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancers.

Behavioral: Lifestyle Intervention

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

The participants randomized into the Control Group will only receive government printed health information on healthy eating, physical activity, obesity and cancers.

Interventions

Lifestyle InterventionBEHAVIORAL

East-meets-West Lifestyle Intervention elements include nutrition and exercise from the Western perspective, food therapy and acupressure from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, self-monitoring, and motivational videos of successful stories from working colleagues. The group participants in the Facebook are encouraged to post their health behaviors and questions, self-monitor, pledge for weight loss, seek social support and interact with health partners and other participants.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • university full-time employees;
  • age 18 to 60 years,
  • BMI of 25 to 40 kg/m2,
  • have access to Internet and Facebook;
  • able to communicate in both English and Chinese at F.5 secondary school level or above.
  • agree to communicate with Internet, email, Facebook group and respect privacy.

You may not qualify if:

  • Smoker;
  • an unstable medical or mental status;
  • history of myocardial infarction or stroke, or cancer in the past 5 years;
  • orthopedic or joint problems that would prohibit exercise;
  • in treatment for alcohol or drug dependency;
  • an eating disorder;
  • pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant within the next 6 months;
  • use of medication that might affect body weight;
  • a recent weight loss of more than 4.5 kg in the previous 6 months;
  • currently participating in a weight loss program;
  • organic obesity;
  • unable to attend assessments or increase physical activity.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

ObesityMotor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

OverweightOvernutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic DiseasesBody WeightSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBehavior

Study Officials

  • WanChaw SHAE

    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Senior Manager

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 24, 2015

First Posted

November 26, 2015

Study Start

April 1, 2014

Primary Completion

October 1, 2015

Last Updated

August 24, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-08

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

HK(1)