Abstract
Objective
To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology-based
weight loss intervention for urban, low-income mothers.
Methods
Eighteen obese, ethnic minority, socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers in the first
year after childbirth were randomly assigned to either: 1) technology-based intervention,
which included empirically supported behavior-change strategies, daily skills, and
self-monitoring text messages with personalized feedback, biweekly counseling calls
from a health coach, and access to a Facebook support group, or 2) usual-care control.
Results
After 14 weeks of treatment, the technology-based intervention participants had significantly
greater weight loss (−2.9 ± 3.6 kg) than usual care (0.5 ± 2.3 kg; adjusted mean difference:
−3.2 kg, 95% confidence interval −6.2 to −0.1 kg, P = .04). One-third of intervention participants (3 of 9) and no control participants
lost > 5% of their initial body weight at follow up.
Conclusions and Implications
Results suggest the potential for using technology to deliver a postpartum weight
loss intervention among low-income racial/ethnic minorities.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 25, 2014
Accepted:
June 2,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
