Dissemination of the Look Ahead Weight Management Treatment in the Military

Summary

Purpose: This study aims to take the procedural and research-based lessons learned from a pilot weight loss intervention (IRB # 13-02563-XP), conducted by The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2013, and apply them to the current study of 204 active duty military personnel. The pilot study translated and tailored the Look Ahead weight loss intervention to an overweight/obese active duty U.S. Air Force population, while accommodating the lifestyle and environment that is unique to military members and evaluate materials and procedures used.

Rationale: Being overweight is now by far the leading medical reason for rejection in the military. Unfortunately, the impact of weight problems on the military does not stop with those turned away from military service. From 1998 to 2008, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center reported the percent of active military members who experienced medical encounters for overweight or obesity significantly increased. The estimated total days of work lost from absenteeism associated with active-duty personnel who are overweight or obese was 658,000. Using Department of Defense (DOD) estimates of average daily based, it was estimated that overweight and obesity costs the DOD $103 million dollars in health care costs annually. Note this estimate is for active duty personnel only. Furthermore, obesity is a major cause for the discharge of uniformed personnel.

The current study is inspired by the successful Look Ahead trial, a behavioral science obesity intervention treatment program that included: a collaborative approach, education, behavioral support, and motivational interviewing. The unique nature of this weight reduction study is significant. To our knowledge, there had not been a successful translation of a highly efficacious obesity treatment in the military until The University of Tennessee Health Science Center implemented a pilot version of the Fit Blue program for active duty U.S. Air Force members in 2013. Following a successful pilot and extant results from the Look Ahead trial, Investigators expect success during the full scale Fit Blue study.

Conditions

• Overweight
• Obesity

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Phone-based sessions (28 total) on a structured schedule

28 sessions will be reviewed weekly and then bi-weekly with a trained motivational interviewing counselor for those individuals randomly assigned to the counselor-initiated condition.

BEHAVIORAL

Phone-based sessions upon request

For those individuals randomly assigned to the self-paced condition, the 28 sessions are still available to them, the participant has to call to initiate sessions.

BEHAVIORAL

Weight self-monitoring

Each randomized participant will be given a Body Trace scale that will electronically record their weight.

BEHAVIORAL

Dietary and physical activity self-monitoring

Each randomized participant will be given a free account to Lose It! Premium, an online food/activity diary for self-monitoring.

BEHAVIORAL

Scheduled tailored interventionist feedback

Randomly assigned participants to the counselor-initiated condition will receive feedback on their progress throughout their sessions with their assigned interventionist.

BEHAVIORAL

Dietary goals

Each randomized participant will receive a daily calorie goal range based on their current weight, gender, and BMI.

BEHAVIORAL

Meal replacements

Randomized participants will receive coupons for meal replacements including oatmeal and popcorn.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical activity goals

Each participant will complete the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire which will determine their weekly exercise goals.

BEHAVIORAL

Toolbox

The toolbox includes additional treatment options for those who wish to take advantage of them. Items may include: food scales, cookbooks, etc. These items may be checked out and must be returned prior to the completion of the study.

BEHAVIORAL

Challenges

There will be several challenges designed to increase participant interest and provide a specific goal (e.g., increase self-monitoring). Participants who successfully completed the challenges will be given a small award.

BEHAVIORAL

Tailored interventionist feedback upon request

Randomly assigned participants to the self-paced condition have the option to receive feedback on their progress upon request.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  collaborator NIH

• United States Air Force

  collaborator FED

• University of Tennessee

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rebecca Krukowski, PhD · University of Tennessee

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-01-06

Primary Completion

2017-03-31

Completion

2018-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations