Abstract
Background
The rates of overweight and obesity are high among United States Veterans, necessitating the development of accessible weight reduction interventions.
Purpose
This observational study evaluated the efficacy of a novel home-based telehealth weight loss intervention (TeleMOVE) for Veterans with obesity.
Methods
We obtained weight measures of 171 patients before and after one and two 90-day cycles of TeleMOVE.
Results
Enrollment in the first 90-day cycle of TeleMOVE was associated with significant weight loss (M = 8.62 lbs, SD = 9.85). Those who subsequently enrolled in the second, identical, cycle lost significantly more weight overall (M = 11.68 lbs, SD = 12.53) than those who only enrolled in the first cycle (M = 5.55 lbs, SD = 8.23). However, this difference was due to two-cycle participants losing significantly more weight during the first cycle alone (M = 10.52, SD = 10.32).
Conclusions
TeleMOVE is a promising intervention, warranting a further investigation of its efficacy.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Kathleen Ober for her expert advice in preparing this manuscript.
Authors’ Statement of Conflict of Interest and Adherence to Ethical Standards
Jane A. Skoyen, Thomas Rutledge, Julie A. Wiese, and Gina N. Woods declare that they have no conflict of interest. The VA San Diego Healthcare System Institutional Review Board (IRB) and research and development committee each reviewed and approved the study. Because this study involved a retrospective review of clinical records, no informed consent was necessary or obtained as part of IRB approval.
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Skoyen, J.A., Rutledge, T., Wiese, J.A. et al. Evaluation of TeleMOVE: a Telehealth Weight Reduction Intervention for Veterans with Obesity. ann. behav. med. 49, 628–633 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9690-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9690-7