title: Group versus individual phone-based obesity treatment for rural women.
abstract: Rural women have among the highest rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyle, yet few studies have examined strategies for delivering state-of-the-art obesity treatment to hard-to-reach rural areas. The purpose of this pilot trial was to examine the impact and cost-effectiveness of a 6-month behavioral weight loss program delivered to rural women by phone either one-on-one with a counselor or to a group via conference call. Thirty-four rural women (mean BMI=34.4, SD=4.6) were randomized to group phone-based treatment or individual phone-based treatment. Completers analysis showed that weight loss was greater in the group condition (mean=14.9 kg=, SD=4.4) compared to the individual condition (mean=9.5 kg, SD=5.2; p=.03). Among the total sample, 62% of participants in the group condition achieved the 10% weight loss goal compared to 50% in the individual condition, and group treatment was found to be more cost-effective. Future research is warranted to examine the benefits of group phone-based treatment for long-term management of obesity among rural populations.
authors: University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Preventive Medicine, 3901 Rainbow Blvd MS 1008, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. cbefort@kumc.edu
authors: Christie A
authors: CA
authors: Befort
authors: Joseph E
authors: JE
authors: Donnelly
authors: Debra K
authors: DK
authors: Sullivan
authors: Edward F
authors: EF
authors: Ellerbeck
authors: Michael G
authors: MG
authors: Perri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012424:Rural Population; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013689:Telephone; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss