Patients Navigators in Facilitating Weight Management in Obese Participants

Using Patient Navigators to Facilitate Weight Management Among Adults

This trial studies the effectiveness of patient navigators in facilitating weight management in obese participants. Health coaches or patient navigators may help more participants take part in weight management programs.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the effectiveness of patient navigators to increase enrollment in evidence-based weight management programs.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the effectiveness of patient navigators to increase overall attendance or use of evidence-based weight management programs.

II. To evaluate the effectiveness of patient navigators to promoting and facilitating positive health behavior change: increased physical activity; improved diet; and weight loss.

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.

GROUP I: Participants receive information about commercially-available weight management programs and encouragement to participate in one of the programs for 6 months.

GROUP II: Participants receive information about commercially-available weight management programs encouragement to participate in one of the programs for 6 months. Participants also receive 6 phone calls over 20-30 minutes each from an assigned patient navigator for 6 months.

After completion of the study, participants are followed up at 2 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Are referred by a University of Texas (UT) health care provider
• Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 and less than or equal to 45 kg/m^2
• Are able to read and speak English
• Have a working telephone number and address where materials can be mailed
• Able to engage in moderate intensity physical activity as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
• Internet access at home or other location (e.g., work, church, library, community center, etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Another person in the same household already enrolled in the proposed intervention
• Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant during the study period
• Are already involved in another weight loss program
• Participated in a weight loss, exercise, or dietary modification program in the previous 6 months
• Involuntary or voluntary weight loss of greater than or equal to 5% body weight in the previous 6 months
• Are currently using weight loss medications