title: Using technology to promote postpartum weight loss in urban, low-income mothers: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology-based weight loss intervention for urban, low-income mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen obese, ethnic minority, socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers in the first year after childbirth were randomly assigned to either: 1) technology-based intervention, which included empirically supported behavior-change strategies, daily skills, and self-monitoring text messages with personalized feedback, biweekly counseling calls from a health coach, and access to a Facebook support group, or 2) usual-care control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 14 weeks of treatment, the technology-based intervention participants had significantly greater weight loss (-2.9 ± 3.6 kg) than usual care (0.5 ± 2.3 kg; adjusted mean difference: -3.2 kg, 95% confidence interval -6.2 to -0.1 kg, P = .04). One-third of intervention participants (3 of 9) and no control participants lost > 5% of their initial body weight at follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest the potential for using technology to deliver a postpartum weight loss intervention among low-income racial/ethnic minorities.
authors: Department of Medicine, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: Sharon.Herring@temple.edu.
authors: Sharon J
authors: SJ
authors: Herring
authors: Department of Medicine, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: Jane F
authors: JF
authors: Cruice
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Obesity Prevention Program, Duke University, Durham, NC.
authors: Gary G
authors: GG
authors: Bennett
authors: Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Davey
authors: Department of Medicine, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: Gary D
authors: GD
authors: Foster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000191:economics; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054525:Minority Health / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D015143:Philadelphia; D010865:Pilot Projects; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology; D061108:Social Media; D014504:Urban Health / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: disparities; health coach; obesity; postpartum; social media; technology; weight loss