An Internet-based Behavioral Weight Loss Program for HIV+ Patients

A series of 12 multi-media lessons will be accessible to participants on their own computers. The lessons (each of which takes about 15 minutes to complete) are based on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Look AHEAD. Participants will be taught to record their weight, the calories and the fat grams in each food item, and their physical activity (in minutes) on a daily basis. At the end of the week, they will submit their self-monitored information to the study website and receive an automated feedback message about their progress to date. The lessons will also present key behavior change strategies such as cognitive restructuring, problem solving and relapse prevention.

A series of 12 lessons will be accessible to participants on their own computers. Participants will be given information about normal, overweight and obese categories of body mass index, and provided information on the health problems that are associated with being overweight and the benefits of weight loss for treating and preventing such problems. General information about healthy eating will be provided. Participants will be educated about the benefits of increasing their physical activity, and strategies for increasing activity safely.