Testing Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) to Prevent Goal Disengagement in Response to Weight Regain
ORI Community and Evaluation Services
Summary
This trial will test the effectiveness of a weight loss maintenance intervention designed to help participants respond more adaptively to weight regain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In one condition, participants will receive brief exercises (e.g., written reflections, videos) sent to through a smartphone app immediately after they regain weight or miss a weigh-in. These exercises will use mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion strategies to help participants stay motivated for their long term goals, even when weight regain feels demoralizing. In the comparison condition, participants will receive weekly reminders of standard weight control strategies strategies.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 18-70 years * BMI of 25-50 kg/m2 * Current weight is 3% lower than their highest weight in the past 3 years * Desire to maintain their weight or lose more * Ability to engage in PA, as defined as being able to walk two full city blocks without stopping * Smartphone and Internet access * Successful completion of all enrollment procedures * Ability to attend a workshop(s) on a Monday or Tuesday evening Exclusion Criteria: * History of bariatric surgery * History of being diagnosed with an eating disorder * Currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pre…
Interventions
- BehavioralJITAI Combined with psychological intervention
For six months, participants will receive a just-in-time adaptive interventions via a smartphone app immediately after they gain weight or they skip a weigh-in (according to a specific algorithm). Interventions will engage participants in mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion-based (MASC) strategies through different modalities (e.g., writing exercises, videos, audio reflections). They will take approximately 1-10 minutes. Participants will also attend an introductory workshop, during which they will receive the instructions weigh daily, learn the importance of quickly responding to weight regain, and be introduced to MASC strategies. They will also attend two booster workshops during the 6-month period.
- BehavioralActive Control
For six months, participants will receive weekly, automated messages via a smartphone app with reminders of standard behavioral weight control principles. Participants will attend an introductory workshop, during which they will receive instructions to weigh daily and learn the importance of responding to weight regain.
Location
- Oregon Research Institute Community and Evaluation ServicesSpringfield, Oregon