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Sponsored by: |
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) |
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Information provided by: | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00481715 |
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with nearly 64% of American adults considered overweight or obese. Weight loss programs that take place at work have proven to be effective at promoting healthy lifestyles. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a Web-based weight loss program versus a cash incentive weight loss program among employees at North Carolina universities and colleges.
Condition | Intervention |
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Weight Loss |
Behavioral: Web-Based Weight Loss Program Behavioral: Cash Incentive Weight Loss Program |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Treatment, Randomized, Open Label, Placebo Control, Factorial Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study |
Official Title: | Interventions to Control Obesity in Colleges |
Estimated Enrollment: | 1200 |
Study Start Date: | September 2008 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | September 2011 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date: | August 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Arms | Assigned Interventions |
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1: Experimental
Web-based weight loss program
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Behavioral: Web-Based Weight Loss Program
Participants will take part in a Web-based weight loss program.
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2: Experimental
Cash incentive weight loss program
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Behavioral: Cash Incentive Weight Loss Program
Participants will take part in a cash incentive weight loss program.
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3: Experimental
Web-based program plus the cash incentive program
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Behavioral: Web-Based Weight Loss Program
Participants will take part in a Web-based weight loss program.
Behavioral: Cash Incentive Weight Loss Program
Participants will take part in a cash incentive weight loss program.
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4: No Intervention
No intervention
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Obesity, which leads to higher rates of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, is an increasingly important public health problem. Evidence suggests that the effects of poor diet and physical inactivity will soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of death. Obesity-attributable medical expenses account for 9.1% of the total annual medical expenditures in the United States, and may be as high as $78.5 billion. In North Carolina, obesity accounts for more than $2 billion annually in increased medical spending and nearly half of this total is financed through employer-provided health insurance. Weight loss programs that take place at work have demonstrated the ability to improve both employee health and the financial health of the company. However, few weight loss programs have been evaluated and implemented in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a Web-based weight loss program versus a cash incentive weight loss program among employees at universities and colleges in North Carolina.
This study will enroll approximately 1200 employees from 12 universities and colleges in North Carolina. Each university or college will be randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: 1) a Web-based weight loss program, 2) a cash incentive weight loss program, 3) the Web-based program plus the cash incentive program, or 4) neither program. Participants in the Web-based weight loss program will take part in a weekly Web-based weight control program that is comprehensive, individually focused, self-directed, and includes both weight loss and weight gain prevention information. In the cash incentive program, participants will receive a cash payment if they lose a pre-determined amount of weight at each follow-up weigh in. At baseline and Months 3, 6, 12, and 18, all participants will be weighed, body fat measurements will occur, and information on physical activity levels, eating behaviors, quality of life, work productivity, and medical expenses will be collected. During this study, study researchers will also monitor changes that occur in the physical and social environment on campus.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Responsible Party: | UNC Chapel Hill ( Laura Linnan, ScD/Associate Professor ) |
Study ID Numbers: | 473, R01 HL080656-01A1 |
Study First Received: | May 31, 2007 |
Last Updated: | September 29, 2008 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00481715 |
Health Authority: | United States: Federal Government |
Web-Based Weight Loss Program Cash Incentive Weight Loss Program North Carolina |
Body Weight Signs and Symptoms Obesity Weight Loss Body Weight Changes |