Recruitment to mail and telephone interventions for obesity in a managed care environment: the Weigh-To-Be project.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the success of mail- and telephone-based weight loss programs in recruiting a representative sample of overweight members of a managed care organization (MCO).


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
A total of 1801 members of an MCO were recruited by direct mail, clinic flier, and physician referral for a research study evaluating mail- and telephone-based weight loss programs; 412 additional overweight members of the same MCO were identified in a general member survey for comparison purposes. Body mass index, demographics, diet, and exercise habits were measured.


RESULTS
Study volunteers were heavier, more likely to be women, more likely to be minorities, more educated, and younger than the general sample of overweight members. They also had a more extensive history of dieting, ate a diet higher in fat and lower in fruit and vegetables, and were more likely to report binge eating than the general sample. However, study volunteers reported a higher level of physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Invitations to participate in weight loss programs can attract large numbers of people in a managed care setting. However, the participation bias in recruitment to such programs is similar to that seen in traditional face-to-face interventions. Women of higher socioeconomic status who are severely obese and who have an extensive history of weight control efforts are more likely to participate. Additional research is needed to find ways to reach more men and older adults.
Jeffery
Robert W
RW
Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, Minn 55454, USA. jeffery@epi.umn.edu
McGuire
Maureen T
MT
Brelje
Kerrin L
KL
Pronk
Nicolaas P
NP
Boyle
Raymond G
RG
Hase
Kirsten A
KA
Boucher
Jackie L
JL
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011177:Postal Service; D013689:Telephone