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Introduction: Obtaining body weights remotely could improve feasibility of pragmatic trials. This investigation examined whether weights collected via cellular scale or electronic health record (EHR) correspond to gold standard in‐person study weights. Methods: The agreement of paired weight measurements from cellular scales were compared to study scales from a weight loss intervention and EHR‐collected weights were compared to study scales from a weight loss maintenance intervention. Differential weight change estimates between intervention and control groups using both pragmatic methods were compared to study collected weight. In the Log2Lose feasibility weight loss trial, in‐person weights were collected bi‐weekly and compared to weights collected via cellular scales throughout the study period. In the MAINTAIN weight loss maintenance trial, in‐person weights were collected at baseline, 14, 26, 42 and 56 weeks. All available weights from the EHR during the study period were obtained. Results: On average, in Log2Lose cellular scale weights were 0.6 kg (95% CI: −2.9, 2.2) lower than in‐person weights; in MAINTAIN, EHR weights were 2.8 kg (SE: −0.5, 6.0) higher than in‐person weights. Estimated weight change using pragmatic methods and study scales in both studies were in the same direction and of similar magnitude. Conclusion: Both methods can be used as cost‐effective and real‐world surrogates within a tolerable variability for the gold‐standard. Trial registration: NCT02691260; NCT01357551. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Men who work in skilled and unskilled trades and labor occupations (i.e., blue‐collar occupations), have high rates of obesity and associated comorbidities but are underrepresented in weight loss programs. A first step in engaging this group is to better understand their preferences for weight loss programs. Methods: Respondents were men working in trade and labor occupations, with overweight/obesity, and an interest in losing weight. A discrete choice experiment was developed, and the data were analyzed using mixed logit model. Respondent characteristics were tested as effect modifiers. Results: Respondents (N = 221, age (M ± SD) 45.0 ± 12.6, BMI 33.3 ± 6.3, 77% non‐Hispanic white) working in a variety of occupations (construction 31%, manufacturing 30%, transportation 25%, maintenance/repair 14%) participated in this study. Results indicate preferences for programs that encourage making smaller dietary changes, are delivered online, and do not incorporate competition. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and most respondent groups. Conclusions: The results suggest specific ways to make weight loss programs more appealing to men in trade and labor occupations. Using experimental methods to quantify preferences using larger, more representative samples would further assist in tailoring behavioral weight loss programs for under‐reached populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are overrepresented in urban African American communities, and associated with health risk behaviors such as tobacco use. Support and resources provided by churches may reduce trauma‐related health risks. In the current study, we assessed weekly church attendance as a moderator of relations between (a) traumatic event exposure and probable PTSD, and (b) probable PTSD and tobacco use. Data were drawn from a health surveillance study conducted in seven churches located in Chicago's West Side. Participants (N = 1015) were adults from churches as well as the surrounding community. Trauma exposure was reported by 62% of participants, with 25% of those who experienced trauma reporting probable PTSD. Overall, more than one‐third of participants (37.2%) reported current tobacco use. As compared with non‐weekly church attendance, weekly church attendance was associated with a lower likelihood of PTSD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.26–0.62; p <.0001) and lower tobacco use overall (OR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.16–0.30; p <.0001), but did not moderate the effect of trauma exposure on risk of PTSD, or the effect of PTSD on tobacco use. Findings support church attendance as a potential buffer of trauma‐related stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Self-weighing is an important component of self-monitoring during weight loss. However, methods of measuring self-weighing frequency need to be validated. This analysis compared self-reported and objective weighing frequency.Methods: Data came from a 24-month randomized controlled trial. Participants received 12 months of a behavioral weight-loss program and were randomly assigned to (1) daily self-weighing, (2) weekly weighing, or (3) no weighing (excluded from analysis). Objective weighing frequency was measured by Wi-Fi enabled scales, and self-reported weighing frequency was assessed every 6 months by questionnaire. Objective weights were categorized to match the scale of the self-report measure.Results: At 12 months, there was 80.8% agreement between self-reported and objective weighing frequency (weighted kappa = 0.67; P < 0.001). At 24 months, agreement decreased to 48.5% (kappa = 0.27; P < 0.001). At both time points in which disagreements occurred, self-reported frequencies were generally greater than objectively assessed weighing. Both self-reported and objectively assessed weighing frequency was associated with weight loss at 12 and 24 months (P < 0.001).Conclusions: Self-reported weighing frequency is modestly correlated with objective weighing frequency; however, both are associated with weight change over time. Objective assessment of weighing frequency should be used to avoid overestimating actual frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the efficacy of a weight loss intervention designed to appeal to men.Methods: A randomized trial tested the efficacy of the Rethinking Eating and FITness (REFIT) weight loss program compared to a wait-list control. The 6-month intervention was delivered via two face-to-face sessions followed by Internet contacts. REFIT encouraged participants to create calorie deficits by making six 100-calorie changes to their eating daily while increasing physical activity, and the program encouraged customization through selection of specific diet strategies evaluated each week.Results: Participants (N = 107, 44.2 years, 31.4 kg/m(2) , 76.6% white) were randomized into the study, and 90.6% provided data at 6 months. REFIT participants lost -5.0 kg (95% CI: -6.1, -3.9) at 3 months, which was maintained through 6 months (-5.3 kg, 95% CI: -6.5, -4.2); this was greater than the control group (p < 0.001; 6 months: -0.6, 95% CI: -1.8, 0.5). More REFIT participants (49%) achieved a 5% weight loss than control participants (19%; OR 9.4; 95% CI: 3.2, 27.4). An average of 11.2 (±2.7) of 13 of the online intervention contacts were completed.Conclusions: The novel REFIT intervention produced clinically significant weight losses. This approach holds promise as an alternative to traditional behavioral therapy for men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the epidemic of obesity, approaches to weight loss that can be applied on a community, state, or national level are needed. We report results from Shape Up Rhode Island 2007 (SURI), a statewide Internet-based program involving team-based competition to increase physical activity and achieve weight loss. A total of 4,717 adults (84% women; mean BMI = 29.6 kg/m2) enrolled in the 16-week weight loss competition of SURI and 3,311 completed at least 12 weeks. Completers reported losing 3.2 ± 3.4 kg, and 30% achieved a clinically significant weight loss of ≥5%. Although modest, these weight losses shifted the BMI distribution from a mean BMI of 29.4 to a mean of 28.2 kg/m2 and reduced the population that was obese from 39 to 31%. More conservative intent-to-treat analyses and analysis of 132 participants with objective weights still showed a significant reduction in BMI of −0.8 units. These findings suggest that statewide weight loss campaigns can produce modest weight losses in large numbers of participants. These data provide a benchmark that can be used for comparisons with other statewide campaigns. Research on ways to improve such campaigns is needed.Obesity (2009) 17 5, 991–995. doi:10.1038/oby.2008.655 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]