Internet Assisted Obesity Treatment Enhanced With Financial Incentives (iREACH3)
Obesity

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Obesity focused on measuring weight loss, financial incentives, internet weight loss
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- over 18
- BMI between 25 and 50
- Not currently pregnant or pregnant in the previous 6 months and currently breastfeeding or planning on becoming pregnant in 18 months
- Have a computer at home or at work with flashplayer, access to the internet, and a smart phone (to allow use of step counting aps)
- Free of medical problems that might contraindicate participation in a behavioral weight reduction program containing an exercise component
- Not enrolled in another weight reduction program
- Not currently on medication that would affect weight loss
Exclusion Criteria:
- had a heart attack or stroke in the previous six months
- had weight loss surgery
- lost 10 pounds or more in the previous 6 months
- currently taking medications for weight loss
- required by their doctor to follow a special diet (other than low fat)
- planning to move out of the area within 18 months
- schedule conflicts making it difficult to attend online "chats"
- live more than 60 minutes driving distance from either University of South Carolina or University of Vermont campuses
Sites / Locations
- University of South Carolina
- Behavioral Weight Management Program/Univ of Vermont
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Experimental
Internet only
Internet + Incentives
Participants will be required to attend a weekly Internet chat session with your group members and one of the behavioral weight control therapists. Participants will learn the principles of managing eating and exercise behaviors in weekly, hour-long chat sessions and by completing weekly lessons. Participants are asked to self-monitor foods and exercise through the use of a smartphone ap. Participants will wear a tracking device that monitors steps. All participants will be contacted via e-mail individually, by their group leader who will monitor their progress and offer advice and encouragement. Meetings are weekly for 24 weeks and monthly for 12 months.
Participants are given the same intervention as described for the internet only group, with the exception that they will have the opportunity to earn financial incentives. Financial incentives will be based on participants weight loss, and compliance with certain weight loss behaviors including meeting exercise goals, self-monitoring foods consumed, and daily weighing and reporting.