Internet delivered behavioral obesity treatment

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of an Internet behavioral weight loss program; and determine if adding periodic in-person sessions to an Internet intervention improves outcomes.Methods481 healthy overweight adults (28% minority) were randomized to one of 3 delivery methods of a behavioral weight loss program with weekly meetings: Internet (n = 161), InPerson (n = 158), or Hybrid (Internet + InPerson, n = 162). Outcome variables were weight at baseline and 6 months and percent of subjects achieving a 5 and 7% weight loss. The study took place in two centers in Vermont and Arkansas from 2003 to 2008.ResultsConditions differed significantly in mean weight loss [8.0 (6.1)kg vs. 5.5 (5.6)kg vs. 6.0 (5.5)kg], for InPerson, Internet, and Hybrid respectively, p < 0.01, n = 462). Weight loss for InPerson was significantly greater than the Internet and Hybrid conditions (p < 0.05). Although the proportion reaching a 5% weight loss did not differ, the proportion losing 7% did differ significantly (56.3% vs. 37.3% vs. 44.4% for InPerson, Internet, and Hybrid respectively, p < 0.01).ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that the Internet is a viable alternative to in-person treatment for the delivery and dissemination of a behavioral weight-control intervention. The addition of periodic in-person sessions did not improve outcomes.