mDiet: A Text Message Intervention for Weight Loss

• Weight Loss [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To evaluate differences from baseline in percent weight loss at 12 months. We hypothesize that, compared to the usual care Standard Print condition differences in weight loss will be significant in both the SMS only (SMS = short message service or text message) and SMS+Phone intervention groups.
  
  

• Intervention Effects [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To assess the intervention effects on weight loss by study group, diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviors, quality of life, and depression
  
  
• Weight Loss Between Intervention Arms [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To assess differences in weight loss between the 2 intervention arms (SMS only and SMS plus phone counseling)
  
  
• Intervention Satisfaction and Exposure [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To assess the level of satisfaction and use of the intervention components (SMS, phone counseling)
  
  

The SMS based intervention will be developed through formative research including focus groups, cognitive interviews, and a pilot test of a Spanish version of mDIET. The focus groups will be conducted with both English and Spanish speaking men and women to 1) learn more about the content areas to be addressed in the intervention including physical activity and sedentary behaviors to expand on previous research; 2) learn more about assessing equivalence and compatibility in intervention messages in English and Spanish; 3) identify the most culturally and linguistically appropriate messages; 4) assess text message use; 5) identify factors that influence food and physical activity decisions; and 6) identify health messages that Latinos see as most understandable, credible, and persuasive, cognitive interviews, and a pilot test of a Spanish version of mDIET. The cognitive interviews will be conducted in Spanish and will help inform translation of study materials (text messages and measures) from English to Spanish. An 8-week pilot test of the Latino (Spanish language) mDIET will be conducted to ensure that the text messages and SMS system works as expected in terms of usability and acceptability.

The randomized controlled trial will be a 12-month intervention with 309 study participants. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: SMS-only, SMS plus phone counseling, and a control group (Details of the study arms are discussed in another section). The goals of the intervention groups (SMS-only and SMS plus phone counseling) include: 5% weight loss, 500 k/cal per day deficit through reduced caloric intake and increased energy expenditure, 12,00 steps through the use of a pedometer, and a reduction in sedentary behaviors. Participants will receive daily text messages, self-monitoring tools, and brief health promotion printed or wed materials on physical activity, nutrition, or other weight loss related topics. Participants will complete physiological and survey measures at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to assess weight (BMI), physical activity and diet behaviors, psychosocial behaviors, environmental factors, and exposure and satisfaction with the program.