UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
DeHaan, Courtney
Dept./Program:
Nutritional and Food Sciences
Year:
2011
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Purpose: On-line behavioral obesity treatment programs can produce clinically significant weight losses, although responses vary substantially. Utilization of web components may help explain treatment success. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in website utilization patterns for participants-who were successful and unsuccessful in a six month online behavioral weight control intervention.
Methods: Participants in a six month online weight loss program (n=159) were divided into weight loss tertiles. Web features evaluated included logins, self-monitoring journal usage, and chat group attendance. Web usage by tertile was examined over the first six weeks, last six weeks and entire six months oftreatment using ANOVA and multivariate repeated measures.
Results/Findings: Average weight loss during the intervention was 0.2%,5.5% and 11.7% of baseline weight for Low, Moderate, and High weight loss tertiles, respectively. Internet usage for logins, journal, and chat was significantly greater in the High weight loss tertile compared with Low or Moderate (p <0.001) over six months. Low and Moderate weight loss tertiles were not different from each other. Usage of all web components decreased over time with no difference in this pattern between tertiles in the first six weeks compared with the last six weeks.
Conclusions: Individuals in the highest weight loss tertile were more engaged with web treatment components. Those in the lower two tertiles of weight loss were using web components less frequently early in the intervention suggesting that the first six weeks of treatment can predict outcomes.
Methods: Participants in a six month online weight loss program (n=159) were divided into weight loss tertiles. Web features evaluated included logins, self-monitoring journal usage, and chat group attendance. Web usage by tertile was examined over the first six weeks, last six weeks and entire six months oftreatment using ANOVA and multivariate repeated measures.
Results/Findings: Average weight loss during the intervention was 0.2%,5.5% and 11.7% of baseline weight for Low, Moderate, and High weight loss tertiles, respectively. Internet usage for logins, journal, and chat was significantly greater in the High weight loss tertile compared with Low or Moderate (p <0.001) over six months. Low and Moderate weight loss tertiles were not different from each other. Usage of all web components decreased over time with no difference in this pattern between tertiles in the first six weeks compared with the last six weeks.
Conclusions: Individuals in the highest weight loss tertile were more engaged with web treatment components. Those in the lower two tertiles of weight loss were using web components less frequently early in the intervention suggesting that the first six weeks of treatment can predict outcomes.