title: Feasibility of utilising an all-volunteer workforce as a disruptive innovation for the US obesity epidemic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As the prevalence of obesity in US adults continues to increase, addressing weight control will require an effective, lower-cost intervention. A model for delivering free peer-to-peer counselling has the potential to create a paradigm shift in the way weight and other chronic illnesses are addressed in the US. The objective of this study is to understand the potential for utilising successful peer volunteers as counsellors in weight control programmes and as a possible intervention strategy to address the global obesity epidemic in a cost-effective manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study surveyed a nationwide panel of US adults (n=806) in 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  We created survey items to identify participant interest in three specific types of weight control programmes: a free programme led by successful peers, a paid programme led by successful peers and a programme led by trained paid professionals. Statistical analysis was conducted in 2011. Logistic regression was used to adjust for the effect of potential confounders on participant interest in different weight control programmes and willingness to volunteer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than three times as many subjects (27.4% vs. 8.3%) were interested in the free peer-led programme versus the expert-led paid option. Of participants who had ever had successful weight loss, 15% were interested in volunteering to help others lose weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals appear to be willing to both attend and conduct peer volunteer-led weight control groups. Further research is necessary to develop and test interventions to assess the effectiveness of such interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States; Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States. Electronic address: jkraschnewski@hmc.psu.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kraschnewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Kevin O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanities, Penn State College of Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Erik B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Lehman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States; Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Sciamanna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D058872:Epidemics; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010379:Peer Group; D014481:United States; D014838:Volunteers; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Disruptive innovation; Obesity; Weight control interventions