HealthyTogether: RCT of a Dyadic Weight Management Intervention

Summary

Four in five Veterans have overweight or obesity. However, few eligible Veterans achieve meaningful weight loss in VA's national MOVE! Weight Management Program. Family and friends strongly influence a person's health behaviors and weight. Including a close family member or friend in weight management may improve weight management outcomes. This study will test whether an 14-week, 8-session virtual weight management program that includes Veterans and a support person (e.g., family member or friend) leads to weight loss. The investigators will also test whether the program leads to improvements in weight-related health behaviors, including physical activity and diet, and relationship quality.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Veteran participants:

* Age 18 or higher.
* Assigned to a VA primary care provider.
* Have a weight measurement (BMI\>=30) recorded in the VA medical record within 16 weeks prior to enrollment.
* Have a second, valid weight measurement recorded in the VA medical record within the prior year.
* Have a BMI\>=30 at enrollment.
* Able to participate in virtual intervention sessions during regular business hours.

Partner participants:

* Age 18 or higher.
* Able to participate in virtual intervention sessions during regular business hours.
* Speak with Veteran at last weekly.

Exclusion Criteria:

Veterans are excluded if:

* not fluent in English
* have severe hearing loss prohibiting participation
* have a dementia diagnosis
* have recently (within the past 3 months) participated in a clinical or research behavioral weight management program
* have a history of or plans (within 6 months) to have bariatric surgery
* are pregnant, postpartum, nursing, or planning to become pregnant within 6 months
* are receiving cancer (non-skin) treatment
* have drug or alcohol dependence not in remission, a recent suicide attempt, active psychosis, or an active behavior flag in the medical record
* report high-levels of alcohol use (AUDIT-C score \>=8)
* are receiving hospice or palliative care
* are living in a nursing home or assisted living facility
* are enrolled in VA home-based primary care
* have end stage renal disease
* have a current or past diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia
* have had an inpatient hospitalization in the past 3 months
* weigh more than 440 pounds (this is the upper limit of the study's scales)

Partners are excluded if:

* not fluent in English
* have severe hearing loss prohibiting participation
* endorse having a health condition that may limit their ability to participate in the intervention
* report high-levels of current alcohol use (AUDIT-C score \>=8)
* are receiving hospice or palliative care
* are living in a nursing home or assisted living facility

Conditions3

Locations2 sites

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