NCT02857595

Brief Summary

Behavioral lifestyle treatment for obesity produces clinically significant weight loss and corresponding improvements in disease risk and severity when delivered via in-person group and/or individual treatment sessions. Online versions have been developed in order to reduce costs. These programs typically include weekly weight loss lessons and tailored feedback on patients' weight loss progress. However, online programs often produce suboptimal outcomes compared to programs delivered in-person due to insufficient adherence to prescribed behavioral strategies, and a lack of objective methods for behavioral self-monitoring to support adherence. One approach to monitoring and improving adherence involves tracking patients' weight loss progress on a personalized nomogram (i.e., graph). The nomogram is based on a dynamic energy balance equation and depicts the expected weight loss over time if the participant is adherent to a prescribed goal for caloric intake and physical activity. A complementary approach to measuring and intervening on adherence involves the use of mobile technology to monitor eating behavior. The Bite Counter is a wrist-worn device similar to a wristwatch that measures the timing, frequency, rate, and duration of eating events by monitoring the "wrist roll" motion that occurs when food is brought to the mouth. By using mathematical models to "calibrate" the Bite Counter to the weight loss nomogram, it may be possible to identify the optimal number of bites that any given patient should take each day in order to facilitate weight loss. The purpose of the proposed study is to conduct a small randomized controlled trial to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of adding weight loss nomograms and the Bite Counter to an established online weight loss program. A sample of 30 participants with overweight/obesity will be randomly assigned in equal proportions to one of three 12-week weight loss programs: (a) online behavioral weight loss treatment alone (OBWL), (b) online behavioral weight loss treatment plus the provision of weight loss nomograms with weekly feedback tailored to the nomogram (OBWL+N), or (c) online behavioral weight loss treatment plus the provision of weight loss nomograms with weekly feedback tailored to the nomogram and provision of a Bite Counter that can be used to alert participants when they are approaching their maximum number of prescribed bites per day (OBWL+N\&BC).

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

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

July 1, 2016

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 2, 2016

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 5, 2016

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 1, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

August 5, 2016

Status Verified

August 1, 2016

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

August 2, 2016

Last Update Submit

August 2, 2016

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Weight Loss

    6 months after beginning treatment

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Number of online weight loss lessons viewed

    6 months after beginning treatment

  • Number of weeks body weight, caloric intake, and physical activity reported online

    6 months after beginning treatment

  • Number of weekly clinic visits attended

    6 months after beginning treatment

  • Average number of bites of food per day

    6 months after beginning treatment

Study Arms (3)

Online Weight Loss Program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Online Behavioral Weight Loss program

Online Weight Loss Program + Nomogram

EXPERIMENTAL
Behavioral: Online Behavioral Weight Loss programBehavioral: Weight Loss Nomogram

Online Weight Loss Program + Nomogram + Bite Counter

EXPERIMENTAL
Behavioral: Online Behavioral Weight Loss programBehavioral: Weight Loss NomogramBehavioral: Bite Counter

Interventions

Online Weight Loss ProgramOnline Weight Loss Program + NomogramOnline Weight Loss Program + Nomogram + Bite Counter
Online Weight Loss Program + NomogramOnline Weight Loss Program + Nomogram + Bite Counter
Bite CounterBEHAVIORAL
Online Weight Loss Program + Nomogram + Bite Counter

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 45 kg/m\^2

You may not qualify if:

  • Self-report of health problems that make weight loss or unsupervised exercise unsafe or unreasonable
  • A heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
  • Currently pregnant or intend to become pregnant in the next 6 months
  • Planning to move outside of the geographic region within the next 6 months
  • Self-report any cognitive or physical limitations that preclude use of a personal computer
  • Participation in a study conducted at the research center in the past 2 years
  • Use of a commercial weight loss program within the last 6 months
  • Self-report a history of clinically diagnosed eating disorder excluding Binge Eating Disorder
  • Previous surgical procedure for weight loss
  • Current use of weight loss medication
  • Treatment of cancer within the last 6 months

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Miriam Hospital Weight Control and Diabetes Resarch Center

Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Goldstein CM, Goldstein SP, Thomas DM, Hoover A, Bond DS, Thomas JG. The Behavioral Intervention with Technology for E-Weight Loss Study (BITES): Incorporating Energy Balance Models and the Bite Counter into an Online Behavioral Weight Loss Program. J Technol Behav Sci. 2021 Jun;6(2):406-418. doi: 10.1007/s41347-020-00181-4. Epub 2020 Nov 27.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

OverweightObesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

OvernutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic DiseasesBody WeightSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Graham Thomas, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor (Research)

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 2, 2016

First Posted

August 5, 2016

Study Start

July 1, 2016

Primary Completion

July 1, 2017

Last Updated

August 5, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-08

Locations