Effects of Journaling on Weight Loss

Participants will call study line given on recruitment materials and be screened over the
phone.

Baseline visit:

Individuals who meet the screening criteria will be invited to a one-hour training session
about the website and diet plan book. During the training, a coordinator will review the
consent form with the participants and ask if they have any questions. The coordinator will
take consented individuals' height, weight and blood pressure measurements. Participants
will be given a pedometer to use during physical activities and a meal replacement book to
use as a resource.

After baseline visit:

All participants will complete surveys online (Demographics, Three-Factor Eating
Questionnaire, Motivation, Weight Loss Habits, Medication log, International Physical
Activity Questionnaire) and be randomized into one of two groups. The intervention group
will be asked to record their weight, physical activity steps, pre-portioned food items and
journal entries on a daily basis. The control group will be sent an email informing them
they will have access to the tracking, journals and website in three months.

Intervention Group:

Participants will receive daily emails with links to record their weight, physical activity
steps and pre-portioned food items; participants will also complete a journaling response to
two writing prompts. The emails will contain links to the website to be used as a resource.
Every week, participants will enter whether they have an appointment with primary care
provider in the next week. Participants will also receive weekly blogs from the principal
investigator; participants can opt out of receiving the blog emails at any time.
Coordinators will review the database weekly. If a participant has lost ten pounds, they
will be emailed to call their doctor since weight loss can affect blood pressure and
medication needs. If a participant has an upcoming primary care provider appointment, they
will be emailed to print out their tracking graphs (weight, steps taken, meal replacements).
Coordinators will also monitor journal responses; coordinators will contact participants
who wrote useful entries to ask if the participant's responses can be shared with other
participants. Shared posts will be anonymous; only the age of the individual will be given.

Month one and two visits:

Participants from both groups will be asked to come to Hershey Medical Center to have their
height, weight and blood pressure measured.

Month three visit:

Participants from both groups will be asked to come to Hershey Medical Center to have their
height, weight and blood pressure measured. Prior to their visit, participants will be
asked to complete a series of surveys online (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Motivation,
Weight Loss Habits, Medication log, International Physical Activity Questionnaire,
Satisfaction). Participants in the control group will be given a booklet containing the
writing prompts, tracking and website address to complete on their own if they so choose.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 21 to 65 years old

- Body mass index between 27 and 45

- E-mail and Internet access

- Able to read, write, and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

- Weight loss of more than 5% of current body weight in previous 6 months

- Participated in weight loss research in previous 6 months

- Current use of weight loss medication or program

- History of or scheduled weight loss surgery

- Heart, liver, or kidney failure

- Been told by doctor of heart trouble

- Frequent pains in heart and chest

- Often feel faint or have spells of severe dizziness

- Bone or joint problem that has been or might be aggravated by exercise

- Physical reason for not following activity program

- History of sever cognitive impairment or major psychiatric illness

- Pregnant in previous 6 months, currently or planning to become pregnant in next 3
months

- Moving in next 6 months