State-wide Health Approach to Increase Reach and Effectiveness: Study 2

Using a State-wide Initiative to Disseminate Effective Behavioral Weight Loss Strategies

Behavioral weight loss programs can successfully reduce body weight, but these programs are available to limited numbers of overweight and obese individuals. This project evaluates a unique weight loss approach that combines a self-sustaining weight loss campaign (for outreach) with training in behavioral weight loss strategies and tests the efficacy of adding components designed to enhance accountability and increase motivation for weight loss.

This is a randomized trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment arms: (1) Shape Up Rhode Island (a community-based weight loss campaign) plus and Internet-based behavioral weight loss program (SURI+IBWL), (2) SURI + IBWL + optional group sessions (SURI+IBWL+Group), or (3) SURI+IBWL + monetary incentives for submitting self-monitoring information and achieving clinically significant weight loss. The primary outcome is weight loss at 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Body mass index >=25 kg/m2
2. English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Health problems that make weight loss or unsupervised exercise unsafe
2. Current pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the next 12 months
3. Planned relocation
4. Previous participation in Shape Up Rhode Island research studies