HealthyTogether: RCT of a Dyadic Weight Management Intervention

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Sep 26, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The HealthyTogether trial is studying a new weight management program designed specifically for Veterans and their close friends or family members. This 8-week virtual program aims to help participants lose weight and improve their health by encouraging better eating habits and more physical activity. The idea is that having a support person involved can make it easier for Veterans to achieve their weight loss goals.

To be eligible for the study, Veterans need to be between the ages of 18 and 74, have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 or a BMI of 25 with related health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes, and have visited a VA primary care site in the past year. The support person must also be at least 18 years old and willing to take part in the program. Participants can expect a supportive environment where they will learn new skills together, while also improving their relationship with their support person. It's important to note that there are some criteria that may exclude individuals from participating, such as severe hearing loss or certain health conditions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Veteran participants:
• • Age 18 or higher.
• • Assigned to a VA primary care provider.
• • Have a weight measurement (BMI\>=30) recorded in the VA medical record within 16 weeks prior to enrollment.
• • Have a second, valid weight measurement recorded in the VA medical record within the prior year.
• • Have a BMI\>=30 at enrollment.
• • Able to participate in virtual intervention sessions during regular business hours.
• Partner participants:
• • Age 18 or higher.
• • Able to participate in virtual intervention sessions during regular business hours.
• • Speak with Veteran at last weekly.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Veterans are excluded if:
• • not fluent in English
• • have severe hearing loss prohibiting participation
• • have a dementia diagnosis
• • have recently (within the past 3 months) participated in a clinical or research behavioral weight management program
• • have a history of or plans (within 6 months) to have bariatric surgery
• • are pregnant, postpartum, nursing, or planning to become pregnant within 6 months
• • are receiving cancer (non-skin) treatment
• • have drug or alcohol dependence not in remission, a recent suicide attempt, active psychosis, or an active behavior flag in the medical record
• • report high-levels of alcohol use (AUDIT-C score \>=8)
• • are receiving hospice or palliative care
• • are living in a nursing home or assisted living facility
• • are enrolled in VA home-based primary care
• • have end stage renal disease
• • have a current or past diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia
• • have had an inpatient hospitalization in the past 3 months
• • weigh more than 440 pounds (this is the upper limit of the study's scales)
• Partners are excluded if:
• • not fluent in English
• • have severe hearing loss prohibiting participation
• • endorse having a health condition that may limit their ability to participate in the intervention
• • report high-levels of current alcohol use (AUDIT-C score \>=8)
• • are receiving hospice or palliative care
• • are living in a nursing home or assisted living facility