Text Based Mobile Technology and Weight Loss
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Obesity Weight Loss |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 21 - 65 |
| Updated: | 2/17/2019 |
| Start Date: | November 27, 2017 |
| End Date: | January 31, 2019 |
Efficacy of a Culturally Sensitive and Linguistically Appropriate Internet and Mobile-based Weight Loss Therapy in Obese Hispanic/Latino Adult Women
Hispanic populations in the US are dis-proportionally affected by high rates of obesity and
diabetes; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos are the
minority group with the second-highest obesity prevalence in adults. In comparison to the
general female population (61.2%), Mexican American women (73%) have a greater overweight or
obese percentage. In addition, more than 50% of Hispanic men and women are expected to
develop type-2 diabetes over their lifetime, compared to 40% among whites. Hispanics are also
50% more likely to die from diabetes compared to whites. In many cases Hispanic populations
do not have the knowledge, self-confidence and resources to participate in mainstream
physical activity and nutrition interventions, which are usually geared towards the general
population without considering cultural and linguistic differences.
Information and communication technologies in the form of Internet and mobile phone access
have grown enormously during the past decade; these technologies have the potential to affect
food intake and physical activity as well as weight loss. Approximately 95% of countries have
mobile telephone networks and about 70% of people worldwide use mobile phones.
CareMessage is a Google-backed 501(c)3 nonprofit technology organization based in San
Francisco that uses 'smart' text and voice messaging to enable clinical staff to provide
automated yet personalized support to patients struggling with chronic conditions. The
CareMessage™ Adult Obesity texting program adapts the Health Belief Model by strategically
implementing behavioral concepts to help improve self-efficacy.
The investigators will pilot test its effectiveness among a sample of Hispanic women who are
at risk of obesity and diabetes by sending a culturally-sensitive and
linguistically-appropriate text-based message three to 5 times a week, encouraging lifestyle
modifications (diet and exercise education and behavior modification).
diabetes; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos are the
minority group with the second-highest obesity prevalence in adults. In comparison to the
general female population (61.2%), Mexican American women (73%) have a greater overweight or
obese percentage. In addition, more than 50% of Hispanic men and women are expected to
develop type-2 diabetes over their lifetime, compared to 40% among whites. Hispanics are also
50% more likely to die from diabetes compared to whites. In many cases Hispanic populations
do not have the knowledge, self-confidence and resources to participate in mainstream
physical activity and nutrition interventions, which are usually geared towards the general
population without considering cultural and linguistic differences.
Information and communication technologies in the form of Internet and mobile phone access
have grown enormously during the past decade; these technologies have the potential to affect
food intake and physical activity as well as weight loss. Approximately 95% of countries have
mobile telephone networks and about 70% of people worldwide use mobile phones.
CareMessage is a Google-backed 501(c)3 nonprofit technology organization based in San
Francisco that uses 'smart' text and voice messaging to enable clinical staff to provide
automated yet personalized support to patients struggling with chronic conditions. The
CareMessage™ Adult Obesity texting program adapts the Health Belief Model by strategically
implementing behavioral concepts to help improve self-efficacy.
The investigators will pilot test its effectiveness among a sample of Hispanic women who are
at risk of obesity and diabetes by sending a culturally-sensitive and
linguistically-appropriate text-based message three to 5 times a week, encouraging lifestyle
modifications (diet and exercise education and behavior modification).
The investigators will collect data on 40 obese (Body Mass Index 30-45) Hispanic women ages
21 to 65 years. The purpose of this research study is to test the efficacy of a mobile phone
text message-based intervention on weight loss.
After verifying eligibility and enrolling in the study, participants will come to Washington
University School of Medicine, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and fill out some questionnaires.
The investigators will perform a brief exam that measures the lean and fat tissue using Dual
Energy x-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) technology and will also do a modified 3-hour oral glucose
tolerance test (MOGTT).
Participants will wear an accelerometer (activity monitor) over a 7-day period at the
beginning (before being randomized and enrolled in the intervention) and at the end of the
study.
Half of the participants will be randomized to the intervention group. The intervention group
will be enrolled in the CareMessage™ Adult Obesity texting program, which sends a text
message 3 to 5 times a week, encouraging lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise
education, and behavioral strategies) that can lead to healthy weight loss. The control group
will receive an initial talk about weight loss but will not be enrolled in any program or
intervention.
After six months have passed, participants will return to Washington University School of
Medicine, regardless of the group they were assigned to, for two final visits (a short one,
to pick up another activity monitor seven days before the study ends, and a longer visit, to
do some final testing and fill out some questionnaires).
21 to 65 years. The purpose of this research study is to test the efficacy of a mobile phone
text message-based intervention on weight loss.
After verifying eligibility and enrolling in the study, participants will come to Washington
University School of Medicine, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and fill out some questionnaires.
The investigators will perform a brief exam that measures the lean and fat tissue using Dual
Energy x-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) technology and will also do a modified 3-hour oral glucose
tolerance test (MOGTT).
Participants will wear an accelerometer (activity monitor) over a 7-day period at the
beginning (before being randomized and enrolled in the intervention) and at the end of the
study.
Half of the participants will be randomized to the intervention group. The intervention group
will be enrolled in the CareMessage™ Adult Obesity texting program, which sends a text
message 3 to 5 times a week, encouraging lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise
education, and behavioral strategies) that can lead to healthy weight loss. The control group
will receive an initial talk about weight loss but will not be enrolled in any program or
intervention.
After six months have passed, participants will return to Washington University School of
Medicine, regardless of the group they were assigned to, for two final visits (a short one,
to pick up another activity monitor seven days before the study ends, and a longer visit, to
do some final testing and fill out some questionnaires).
Inclusion Criteria (for both control and intervention groups)
- Women between 18 21 and 65 years old,
- Poor to normal English literacy,
- Of Hispanic or Latin American origin,
- Having access to a smart phone,
- Obese (BMI 30-45).
- Non-institutionalized population,
- Currently not involved in any other weight loss program,
- Sedentary population (exercising less than 90 minutes per week).
For the phone screening we will need the following data elements:
- Female
- BMI
- Age
- Ethnicity
Exclusion Criteria (for both groups):
- Participants with a history of and/or current mental or physical disabilities.
- Participants with BMI over 45
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