Obesity, Weight Loss
Conditions
Keywords
self-compassion, exercise, nutrition, physical activity
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of two approaches for improving long-term weight loss success among individuals with severe obesity. All participants will receive a 15-week, standard behavioral weight loss program followed by either 8 weeks of a mindfulness self-compassion intervention or 8 weeks of a nutrition and cooking education intervention (determined via randomization procedures). Assessments of weight, physical activity, and other weight-related and psychosocial factors will occur at baseline, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALBehavioral weight loss program
Using a combination of individual (\ 1x/month) and group-based (\ 3x/month) meetings, participants will be taught behavioral approaches for changing diet and exercise behaviors. This intervention will be 15 weeks in duration and will be delivered remotely using a video-conferencing platform.
BEHAVIORALSelf-compassion
This 8-week, group-based program will help train individuals on how to handle difficult emotions with greater ease, how to transform difficult relationships, and how to motivate and encourage oneself, rather than being self-critical.
BEHAVIORALNutrition and cooking education
This 8-week, group-based program will help individuals to improve the quality of their diet through nutrition education and basic cooking skills for preparing healthy meals.
Sponsors
The Miriam Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18-65 years * BMI between 40 - 55 kg/m2 * Female * Score high on internalized weight bias
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of any condition that would limit one's ability to exercise (i.e., orthopedic limitations) * Recent weight loss (≥15 pounds within the past 6 months) * History of bariatric surgery * Current or recent enrollment (completed \<1 year ago) in a weight loss program at the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center * Currently taking any weight loss or other medication that could alter one's metabolism * Women who are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant in the next 6 months, or those pregnant within the past 6 months * Serious psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, major depression, suicidality) - * Participants with a history of diabetes or heart disease will be considered for this study only if their heart disease or diabetes is well controlled, and physician consent will be required.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment feasibility will be assessed by the number of participants screened and enrolled | At the end of the study, up to 9 months post-baseline | Recruitment feasibility will be assessed by the number of participants screened and enrolled |
| Session attendance will be assessed by calculating the overall session attendance (# of sessions completed/# of sessions possible). | 6 months | The feasibility of the intervention will be assessed by calculating the overall session attendance |
| Acceptability of the intervention (retention) will be determined by the percentage of participants completing the 9-month assessment visit | 9 months | Acceptability of the intervention (retention) will be determined by the percentage of participants completing the 9-month assessment visit |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Percent weight change at 6 months | 6 months after study enrollment |
| Percent weight change at 9 months | 9 months after study enrollment |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed