title: A preliminary investigation into whether early intervention can improve weight loss among those initially non-responsive to an internet-based behavioral program.
abstract: This study examined whether providing additional support to individuals with poor initial weight loss improves 12-week outcomes. Participants were randomized to a 12-week internet-delivered behavioral weight loss program (IBWL; n = 50) or the identical internet program plus the possibility of extra support (IBWL + ES; n = 50). IBWL + ES participants losing <2.3% at Week 4 (early non-responders; n = 12) received one individual meeting and two follow-up phone calls with an interventionist, and were compared to IBWL 'early non-responders' who did not receive extra support (n = 21), and to 'early responders' in both treatment arms (i.e., 4-week weight loss ≥2.3%; n = 59). IBWL + ES early non-responders had greater program adherence (p's < 0.055) and lost twice as much weight (p = 0.036) compared to IBWL early non-responders. Program adherence did not differ between early responders and IBWL + ES early non-responders. However, 12-week weight loss was greater in the early responders compared to both early non-responder groups (p's > 0.05). Providing additional intervention to early non-responders in an Internet program improves treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Brown Medical School, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. junick@lifespan.org.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Unick
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Brown Medical School, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dorfman
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Tricia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Leahey
authors.affiliation: Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Brown Medical School, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Rena R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D017211:Treatment Failure; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Early rescue; Internet-delivered intervention; Obesity treatment; Stepped care; Web-based intervention; Weight loss