Reducing Obesity Using Social Ties (ROBUST): Randomized Control Trial
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Summary
This trial aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of addressing interpersonal barriers to weight-related behavior change. Specifically, the study will test if, by including up to two friends, family members, or co-workers in a lifestyle intervention for weight loss, the person enrolled in the study loses more weight than someone whose friends, family members, or co-workers were not invited to participate.
Description
The investigators will evaluate whether the ROBUST intervention not only addresses individual-level behaviors (i.e., healthy eating, increased physical activity) but also: 1. reduces social undermining as well as changes perceived health norms by activating communal coping - a behavioral process that involves thinking, communicating, and acting as if a health risk (i.e., Type 2 diabetes) is shared; and 2. dampens the harmful effects of increased interpersonal conflict on weight by teaching participants how to induce a positive affect and self-affirming mindset Participants in the control arm…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Index Participant: 1. Black race or Hispanic ethnicity 2. Male or Female 18 years of age or older 3. Calculated BMI \> 30kg/m2 from objectively measured height and weight by study staff 4. Access \& willingness to use program food intake app via home computer or a smartphone 5. Ability to identify at least one adult social network member who will participate in the study * Social Network Member: 1. Male or Female 18 years of age or older 2. Access to the internet or a smartphone Exclusion Criteria: * Index Participant: 1. Active enrollment in a weigh…
Interventions
- BehavioralSocial Network Intervention
Social Network interventions are an intentional effort to modify or use the characteristics of social networks to improve, generate, and maintain healthy behaviors among individuals and populations. This study will focus on implementing a behavioral social-network intervention to promote changes in weight loss behaviors.
- BehavioralIndividual Lifestyle Intervention
The individual lifestyle intervention will serve as the control group and will implement the use of DPP based health coaching sessions to promote individual level changes in weight loss behaviors.
- OtherSocial Network Member
The social network member will serve as the friend, family member, or co-worker nominated to participate in the social network intervention by the social network intervention participant.
Location
- Weill Cornell MedicineNew York, New York