Independent Weight Loss Maintenance for Communities With Arthritis in North Carolina: the I-CAN Clinical Trial

Over the course of the first 6-months, participants will build their self-efficacy to maintain weight loss on their own, empowered to do what is needed to achieve personal goals and long-term behavior change (months 7-18). The first 6 months of I-CAN will prepare participants for successful independent weight-loss maintenance in months 7-18. During the 12-month independent weight-loss maintenance phase participants exercise on their own and maintain their weight loss (or increase weight loss if they choose) with the only contact from interventionists being two newsletters at months 9 and 15.

Participants in the control group will attend an individual session during month 1, and a monthly face-to-face group meeting during months 2-6. The sessions will provide attention, social interaction, and physician-based health education. Participants will receive a newsletter during months 9 and 15.