Adding evidence-based behavioral weight loss strategies to a statewide wellness campaign: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of adding an evidence-based Internet behavioral weight loss intervention alone or combined with optional group sessions to ShapeUp Rhode Island 2011 (SURI), a 3-month statewide wellness campaign.


METHODS
We randomized participants (n = 230; body mass index = 34.3 ±6.8 kg/m(2); 84% female) to the standard SURI program (S) or to 1 of 2 enhanced programs: SURI plus Internet behavioral program (SI) or SI plus optional group sessions (SIG). The primary outcome was weight loss at the end of the 3-month program.


RESULTS
Weight losses differed among all 3 conditions (S: 1.1% ±0.9%; SI: 4.2% ±0.6%; SIG: 6.1% ±0.6%; Ps ≤ .04). Both SI and SIG increased the percentage of individuals who achieved a 5% weight loss (SI: 42%; SIG: 54%; S: 7%; Ps < .001). Cost per kilogram of weight loss was similar for S ($39) and SI ($35); both were lower than SIG ($114).


CONCLUSIONS
Although weight losses were greatest at the end of SURI with optional group sessions, the addition of an Internet behavioral program was the most cost-effective method to enhance weight losses.
Tricia M. Leahey, Graham Thomas, and Rena R. Wing are with Alpert Medical School of Brown University Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI. Joseph L. Fava and Katie Krupel are with The Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, Providence. Leslee L. Subak is with the University of California San Francisco, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, San Francisco, CA. Michael Schembri is with University of California San Francisco, Women's Health Clinical Research Center, San Francisco. Rajiv Kumar is with ShapeUp Inc, Providence. Brad Weinberg is with Blueprint Health Inc, New York, NY.
Tricia M
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Leahey
Graham
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Thomas
Joseph L
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Fava
Leslee L
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Subak
Michael
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Schembri
Katie
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Krupel
Rajiv
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Kumar
Brad
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Weinberg
Rena R
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Wing
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012237:Rhode Island; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult