Remote Delivery of Weight Management for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Rationale and design for a 24 Month Randomized Trial

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) represent an underserved segment of the US population with a high prevalence of obesity and limited options for weight management. Previous research has demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss of 7% of total body weight in in adults with IDD using an enhanced Stop Light Diet (eSLD) in combination with monthly at-home face-to-face (FTF) behavioral sessions, and a recommendation for increased physical activity. However, the time and cost associated with FTF delivery (travel + sessions) limits the potential for scaling and implementation and suggests the need for the evaluation of less costly and burdensome strategies for intervention delivery. Therefore, we will conduct a 24-mo. randomized trial to compare a weight management intervention (6 mos. weight loss, 12 mos. maintenance, 6 mos. no-contact follow-up) delivered to 120 overweight/obese adults with IDD in their home, either remotely (RD) using video conferencing on a tablet computer, or during FTF visits. Our primary aim is whether RD is non-inferior to FTF for weight loss (0–6 mos.). Secondarily, we will compare the RD and FTF groups on mean weight loss, the proportion of participants who achieve clinically meaningful weight loss, and changes in quality of life across 24 months. We will also conduct cost analysis, cost-effectiveness, and contingent valuation analyses to compare the RD and FTF groups.