Therapeutic Nutrition With Technology in Primary Care

Supporting and Enabling Physicians to Deliver Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition Using an Online Technology Platform

Low-carbohydrate diets (less than approximately 130 grams per day) are emerging as an efficacious treatment option with several studies supporting weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes. Many physicians are now implementing this strategy but the time it takes to educate patients on nutrition is a barrier. The research team is working with physicians to develop a solution whereby the nutrition education and intervention is delivered via mobile/online technology (i.e., an app). This study will test whether it is feasible and efficacious for physicians to recommend this app to their patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes to help them lose weight and improve their condition.

The study is a non-experimental feasibility study to explore the acceptability, practicality and demand for the use of a 12-week, personalized, online program to teach and coach patients about therapeutic carbohydrate restriction for individuals with obesity and/or at risk for type 2 diabetes/with type 2 diabetes. The program is intended to enhance the usual clinical care provided for patients with these conditions and will allow for physicians to monitor patient progress through the program. Both physician and patient perspectives will be explored.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Overweight or obese (BMI >25 kg/m2)
• At risk for T2D as deemed by physician
• Diagnosed with T2D
• Able to read and speak English (in order to communicate with the technology platform/app
• Over the age of 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to read or speak English (due to the app being provided in English)
• Unable to access a computer or mobile phone that has access to the internet.
• Currently compliant with a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet or very low calorie commercial weight loss program
• Planning to change doctors in the next 12 months.