Patient-provided e-support in reduced intensity obesity treatment: The INSPIRE randomized controlled trial.

Objective: There are two types of patient supporters, peers (two individuals initiating health behavior change who support one another) and mentors (a previously successful patient who supports incoming patients). Social comparison theory suggests that peers and mentors may elicit social comparison processes (patients may compare their progress to that of their peer/mentor), and these social comparisons could impact treatment outcomes. This randomized controlled trial is the first to examine the differential impact of peers and mentors on obesity treatment outcomes and social comparison processes when added to reduced intensity treatment.

Weight Change 2 Years After Termination of the Intensive Lifestyle Intervention in the Look AHEAD Study.

Objective: This study evaluated weight changes after cessation of the 10-year intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) study. It was hypothesized that ILI participants would be more likely to gain weight during the 2-year observational period following termination of weight-loss-maintenance counseling than would participants in the diabetes support and education (DSE) control group.

Methods: Look AHEAD was a randomized controlled trial that compared the effects of ILI and DSE on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in participants with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes.