Web-based weight management programs in an integrated health care setting: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a Web-based tailored behavioral weight management program compared with Web-based information-only weight management materials.


METHODS
Participants, 2862 eligible overweight and obese (BMI = 27 to 40 kg/m2) members from four regions of Kaiser Permanente's integrated health care delivery system, were randomized to receive either a tailored expert system or information-only Web-based weight management materials. Weight change and program satisfaction were assessed by self-report through an Internet-based survey at 3- and 6-month follow-up periods.


RESULTS
Significantly greater weight loss at follow-up was found among participants assigned to the tailored expert system than among those assigned to the information-only condition. Subjects in the tailored expert system lost a mean of 3 +/- 0.3% of their baseline weight, whereas subjects in the information-only condition lost a mean of 1.2 +/- 0.4% (p < 0.0004). Participants were also more likely to report that the tailored expert system was personally relevant, helpful, and easy to understand. Notably, 36% of enrollees were African-American, with enrollment rates higher than the general proportion of African Americans in any of the study regions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this large, randomized control trial show the potential benefit of the Web-based tailored expert system for weight management compared with a Web-based information-only weight management program.
Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute, Oakland, California, USA. kendra.rothert@kp.org
Kendra
K
Rothert
Victor J
VJ
Strecher
Laurie A
LA
Doyle
William M
WM
Caplan
Jodi S
JS
Joyce
Holly B
HB
Jimison
Lya M
LM
Karm
Adrienne D
AD
Mims
Mark A
MA
Roth
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss