Pilot Trial of a Telephone Weight Loss, Nutrition, Exercise Study

There is consistent evidence from observational studies that higher amounts of body fat are
associated with increased risks of cancer. Many behavioral weight loss interventions have
been developed, but still have significant limitations in terms of achieving clinically
significant, sustained weight loss. A recent study incorporating Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy (ACT) in a randomized clinical trial resulted in participants who attained
significantly greater 12-month weight loss in the ACT arm than those assigned to standard
behavioral treatment, suggesting that ACT may have the potential to improve behavioral weight
loss outcomes. However, this study required in-person clinic visits with treatment groups,
which limits its potential reach and disseminability. The investigators have developed a
novel telephone-delivered version of the ACT behavioral weight loss intervention, based on
our proven success using ACT telephone counseling intervention for smoking cessation. There
will be a two-arm pilot randomized trial (N = 100), comparing the ACT telephone intervention
to a standard behavioral treatment (SBT) telephone control. The pilot RCT will yield
engagement, receptivity, and preliminary weight loss results that will provide critical and
timely weight loss intervention data.

Inclusion Criteria:

- age 18 or older,

- overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 27),

- wants to lose weight through healthy behavior change, beginning in the next 30 days,

- interested in learning skills to lose weight,

- willing to be randomly assigned to either condition,

- resides in US,

- has daily access to their own phone and email,

- does not have a medical or psychiatric condition that would limit their ability to
comply with the behavioral recommendations of the program or pose a risk to the
participant during weight loss, including meeting criteria for binge eating disorder,

- not pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months,

- in the past 3 months changed the dosage of prescription medications that can cause a
significant change in weight or appetite,

- have lost more than 5% of their weight in the past 6 months,

- willing and able to read in English,

- not participating in or planning to participate in other weight loss programs, and

- has not participated in our other ACT interventions. To increase follow-up data
retention, eligibility criteria also include:

- willing to complete the follow-up survey, and (16) provide email, phone, and mailing
address.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Opposite of the inclusion criteria