Comparison of a Technology-based System and an In-person Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention in the Severely Obese

Participants will attend weekly group intervention meetings. These sessions will address barriers associated with altering physical activity participation and dietary intake. Group discussions will be facilitated by the interventionist and interactive participation will be encouraged. Participants will be provided with written materials at each meeting to supplement group discussions. Paper diaries will be provided each week to assist participants with self-monitoring of calorie and fat consumption, and physical activity minutes and intensity. Participants will return the diary to the intervention staff each week for review and constructive feedback.

Intervention materials will be provided and mailed weekly to participants. Participants will be provided with the BodyMedia® FIT System that includes a wearable device to monitor physical activity and energy expenditure, a display device to provide feedback on achievement of energy expenditure and physical activity goals, and web-based software to assist with self-monitoring of dietary intake and to provide feedback on goal achievement. Participants will attend one introductory session in which a tutorial of the components of the enhanced FIT System will be provided. Participants will receive a one-hour lesson on basic guidelines of the weight loss intervention. Once per month participants will receive a scheduled 10 minute intervention telephone call with the intervention staff.

Participants will be provided with intervention materials that are mailed weekly to them. Participants will be provided with the enhanced BodyMedia® FIT System that includes a wearable device with Bluetooth® technology to allow participants to receive real-time feedback on calories expended and physical activity on their smart phone. This also supports self-monitoring of dietary behaviors and body weight. Participants will attend one introductory session in which a tutorial of the components of the enhanced FIT System will be provided. Participants will also receive a one-hour lesson on basic guidelines of the weight loss intervention. Once per month participants will receive a scheduled 10 minute intervention telephone call with the intervention staff.