scholarly journals Assessing the Feasibility of a Social Media to Promote Weight Management Engagement in Adolescents with Severe Obesity: Pilot Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Prout Parks ◽  
Renee' H Moore ◽  
Ziyi Li ◽  
Chanelle T Bishop-Gilyard ◽  
Andrew R Garrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Treatment Engagement ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Medical Weight Management ◽  
Use Of Social Media

BACKGROUND Severe obesity in adolescents has deleterious physical and psychological complications necessitating frequent multi-disciplinary clinic visits. Greater treatment engagement has been equated with weight-loss. However, traditional medical weight-loss programs for adolescents have high attrition rates. Social media is widely used by adolescents and may enhance medical weight management engagement and success. OBJECTIVE The first objective was to examine the acceptability and feasibility of using a private social media group as an adjunct to medical weight management in youth ages 14 to 20 years with severe obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2]. The second objective was to pilot test the use of social media to improve treatment engagement and decrease attrition rates. METHODS In this single arm, 12 week pre-post study, participants attended individual clinic visits and participated in a moderated private social media group that received nutrition, exercise, and behavior change social media communications or “posts” 3 to 4 times/week. Youth commented and/or liked posts from the moderator and each other. Social media engagement was measured with the number of likes and comments on social media. Clinic attrition was compared, measuring clinic visit attendance 12 weeks prior, during, and after the intervention with mixed linear regression models. Correlations of social media engagement with changes from baseline for BMI, BMI-z score, and psychosocial measures were fit. RESULTS All 13 enrolled youth completed the study and reported that the group was enjoyable, helpful, reinforced their weight management program, and would recommend using social media to support other youth. The pilot trial was acceptable and feasible. Youth mean weekly engagement (likes + comments) in social media was greater than once a day (8.6 ±3.6). Compared to 12 weeks prior to the intervention, there was no significant decrease in clinic visit attendance at the end of the intervention (M=.231, P=.69) or 12 weeks at the conclusion of the intervention (M=.589, P=.28). Increased social media comments correlated with weight change (r=–.633, P=.04). CONCLUSIONS This pilot trial demonstrated that the use of social media as an adjunct to medical weight management was feasible and acceptable to adolescents with severe obesity. Based upon these preliminary findings, social media may be an effective way to mitigate attrition from obesity treatment programs, and improve health outcomes in this high-risk population.

scholarly journals Antidepressant Effect of the VA Weight Management Program (MOVE) Among Veterans With Severe Obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (5-6) ◽  
pp. e586-e591
Author(s):  
Paulo R Shiroma ◽  
Tina Velasquez ◽  
Timothy J Usset ◽  
John H Wilhelm ◽  
Paul Thuras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Weight Management Program ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
History Of ◽  
Severity Of Depression

Abstract Introduction Obesity is prevalent among users of Veteran’s Health Administration services, where it is comorbid with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colon, and breast cancer. Among obese subjects, severe obesity represents a subpopulation with the highest risk of depression. We investigate the antidepressant effect of a local VA weight management program (Managing Overweight Veterans Everywhere – MOVE) among depressed veterans with severe obesity. Material and Methods In a 10-week prospective pilot study, 14 clinically depressed veterans with severe obesity were recruited from: (1) the 2-week residential based intense MOVE program (IMP) (N = 7) and (2) the 10-week educational module of self-management MOVE program (SMP) (N = 7). Subjects had a Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition (BDI-II) score > 12 and BMI > 40 or BMI > 35 with associated to comorbid conditions. Concurrent treatment for depression such as medications or psychotherapy was excluded. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in BDI-II score form baseline to week 10. Analysis consisted of linear mixed model with baseline BDI-II score as a covariate, and level of MOVE intervention (IMP vs. SMP), time, and time by treatment interaction as fixed effects, and random patient effect. Pearson’s correlation examined the relationships between clinical and demographic variables and change in severity of depression by BDI-II scores. Secondary outcomes include weight loss and energy expenditure. Results The sample was composed by 14 subjects (IMP = 7; SMP = 7) mostly unemployed (N = 9), married (N = 10), mid-aged (mean = 58.2, SD = 8.4), Caucasian (N = 13), male (N = 12), with recurrent depression (N = 11), and a mean overall duration of current depressive episode of 13.5 months (SD = 10.2). Out of 14 participants; seven had a family history of mood disorder, two had previous psychiatric hospitalization, three had a previous suicidal attempt, and eight had a history of substance use disorder. There was a significant decrease in severity of depression among all 14 (F3,36.77 = 5.28; P < 0.01); antidepressant effect favored the IMP compared to SMP at day 12 (F1,15.10 = 9.37, P = 0.01) and week 6 (F2,27.34 = 4.26, P = 0.03), but effect fell short of significance at week 10. The change in severity of depression measured by BDI-II score significantly correlated with total weight loss (r = −0.60; P = 0.04) and daily energy expenditure at 12 days (r = −0.67; P = 0.01), week 6 (r = −0.59; P = 0.03), and week 10 (r = −0.71; P = 0.01). Conclusions Depressed veterans with severe obesity improved their depressive symptoms by participating in the MOVE program. Veterans in the IMP had greater but short-term antidepressant effect as compared to educational intervention for obesity. Future studies with larger sample size may elucidate the underlying mechanisms of weight reduction to improve depression and, more importantly, sustain response among veterans with severe obesity.

scholarly journals Perspectives of adolescents with severe obesity on social Media in Preparation for weight-loss surgery: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Prout Parks ◽  
Darra D. Finnerty ◽  
Jennifer Panganiban ◽  
Rosemary Frasso ◽  
Chanelle Bishop-Gilyard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
Weight Loss Surgery

scholarly journals The Interplay of Support, Comparison, and Surveillance in Social Media Weight Management Interventions: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Chang ◽  
Kaushik Chattopadhyay ◽  
Jialin Li ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Li Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

BACKGROUND There has been a significant increase in trend in using social media as a platform to deliver weight management interventions. This illustrates a need to develop a holistic understanding of doctor-patient communication and peer-to-peer communication in social media interventions and their influences on weight management of people with overweight or obesity. Studies like this will highlight how social media can be more effectively integrated into weight management programs to enhance individuals’ short-term and long-term weight management behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine patients’ experiences with doctor-patient communication and peer interactions in a social media-based (WeChat) weight management program, and describe the interplay of three social influence factors—social support, social comparison, and surveillance—in their weight control practices. The program, designed and implemented by the research team located in a tertiary referral hospital in a southeastern province in China, included both diet and physical activity components that targeted people with overweight or obesity. METHODS We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 program participants of different ages (M = 35.6, SD = 7.7), gender (18 females), duration of program membership (M = 1.4 years), and weight loss outcomes (54% weight loss to 9% weight gain). All interview data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated using the translation-back-translation technique. Nvivo software was used to facilitate the coding process. RESULTS Results of a thematic analysis indicated the distinct functions of professionally led support and peer support. Professional support was presented in the form of knowledge infusion, efficacy enhancement, and provision of timely feedback. Peer support fostered empathy and sense of belonging and had a mutually reinforcing relationship with peer comparison and peer-based surveillance. Peer comparison enhanced motivation and positive competition. However, it also reinforced negative group norms and resulted in downturns in reference standards and collective inactivity. Social media surveillance prompted participants’ reactions to the gaze from medical professionals and peers that could be encouraging or inhibiting. Surveillance enhanced vigilance with weight control norms. However, its influence weakened when participants chose to fake weight data and turn off notifications. Findings from this study illustrated the interrelated and fluctuant influences of support, comparison, and surveillance. CONCLUSIONS The interactive traits of social media eased the practices of social support and social comparison and created new forms of surveillance. This study contributed to an in-depth understanding of social media influences on individuals’ weight control behaviors. Practical implications of the study concerned improved strategies for maintaining the positive dynamics of social media interactions and preventing negative resistance to surveillance technology. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trial ChiCTR1900025861.

scholarly journals Specialized Medical Weight Management Intervention for High-Risk Obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Gitanjali Srivastava ◽  
Chelsea Paris ◽  
Jessica Johnson ◽  
Emma Barnes ◽  
Brittany Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Initial Program ◽  
Weight Loss Outcomes ◽  
Medical Weight Management

Background: Bundled payments are services rendered at pre-determined costs with the goal of providing high value care. Our institution’s Episodes of Care team partnered with its tertiary care obesity center to design a novel medical weight management bundle for employers that would collectively deliver high value obesity services. Objective: As a first step, we sought to evaluate short-term medical weight loss outcomes over 6 months at the obesity center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed weight loss outcomes on 157 patients with commercial insurance coverage over a period of 6 months. Results: Patients ranged in age from 18-72 years, and 77.7% were female. Patients ranged in weight from 160-443 pounds, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 42.7 kg/m2 (Class 3a severe obesity; BMI range 28.4-74.5). The prevalence of any obesity-related medical condition was 54.1%; at least a quarter of the patients had either prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes mellitus, approximately a third had hypertension, and over 8% had hyperlipidemia. Mean weight loss from the initial program start date was 6.28% (+/-0.48% standard error of mean [SEM]; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.34-7.23%). Completers (defined as having at least 6 visits with a medical provider) achieved a higher percentage of weight loss (7.06%) from the initial program start compared to non-completers (4.68%; at least 4-5 visits with a medical provider; P<0.0158). Approximately 50% of patients were able to achieve >7% weight loss, with over 55% of patients achieving at least 3% weight loss or higher irrespective of BMI classification. Conclusions: Specialized medical weight intervention is effective in treating high-risk obesity with complications. This has implications for enhanced long-term cost savings related to employer coverage of such programs for their employees with obesity.

scholarly journals Wearable Activity Tracking Device Use in an Adolescent Weight Management Clinic: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kanika Bowen-Jallow ◽  
Omar Nunez-Lopez ◽  
Alex Wright ◽  
Erika Fuchs ◽  
Mollie Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Activity Tracking ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Tracking Device ◽  
And Control

Background. The use of physical activity tracker devices has increased within the general population. However, there is limited medical literature studying the efficacy of such devices in adolescents with obesity. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using wearable activity tracking devices as an adjunct intervention on adolescents with obesity. Methods. Randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the feasibility (attrition ≤50%) of an activity tracking intervention (ATI) and its effects on weight loss in adolescents with obesity enrolled in an adolescent weight management clinic (AWMC). Outcomes included feasibility (attrition rate) and absolute change in BMI. Differences between groups at 6, 12, and 18 weeks were examined. Results. Forty-eight participants were enrolled in the study. Eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to the ATI group and 30 to control. The average age was 14.5 years. Overall, the majority of participants were Hispanic (56%). Sexes were equally distributed. The average baseline BMI was 37.5 kg/m2. At the study conclusion, the overall attrition rate was 52.1%, 44.4% in the ATI group versus 56.6% in the control group, with a differential attrition of 12.2%. The ATI and control groups each showed an absolute decrease in BMI of −0.25 and −2.77, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion. The attrition rate in our study was >50%. Participation in the AWMC by the ATI and control groups resulted in maintenance of BMI and body weight for the study duration. However, the use of an activity tracking device was not associated with greater weight loss. This trial is registered with NCT03004378.

Motivations of Men with Severe Obesity Who Pursue Bariatric Surgery or Medical Weight Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 227 (4) ◽  
pp. e32-e33
Author(s):  
Sally A. Jolles ◽  
Esra Alagoz ◽  
Corrine I. Voils ◽  
Grace E. Shea ◽  
Natalie Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
Medical Weight Management

scholarly journals Motivations of Males with Severe Obesity, Who Pursue Medical Weight Management or Bariatric Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 730-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally A. Jolles ◽  
Esra Alagoz ◽  
Natalie Liu ◽  
Corrine I. Voils ◽  
Grace Shea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
Medical Weight Management
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