NetBehavior Therapy for Weight Loss

Description:

The NetBehaviour Therapy for weight loss program is designed to provide guidance and support to those who need to lose weight.  The web program contains information on healthy meals, reminders to exercise and weigh yourself, and incorporates a self-monitoring diary to input calories.  Behavioural exercises to help you lose weight are emailed to the user regularly.  The program contains both Professional and Automated Support via email with feedback on your progress and suggestions of behavioural strategies to improve weight loss or compliance with the restricted calorie diet and maintain weight loss.  You can volunteer to participate in research on the website.

Service URL:
Agency Responsible:
Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital.

Details

Format:
Website.
Intervention Type:
Psychological – CBT. Uses Behaviour Therapy techniques
Course Length:
Long (more than 5 modules). Comprises 24 weeks
Support Option:
Clinical support. Professional Support is provided via email

Target Audience

Primary Category:
Weight and Obesity.
Target Audience:
Adult.
Language:
English.

Access

Fee:
Unknown.
Access:
Closed: Research participation.
Contact Details:

behavioralmed@lifespan.org

Research evidence

Research Trials:
3
Research RCTs:
0
Outcome Summary:

The NetBehaviour Therapy for Weight Loss program has been evaluated by comparing it to a condition in which participants are given links to web resources on weight loss.  The nature of feedback, whether by email from a counsellor or automated, has also been investigated.  The program has been shown to be more effective than that information condition in weight loss and in reducing waist circumference at 3 and 6 months, and in doubling the number of participants achieving a 5% weight loss goal.  In addition, automated feedback and e-counselling have both been shown to result in superior weight loss and reductions in body mass index and waist circumference at three months in individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes.  However, e counselling was more effective long-term, being shown to be more effective at 12 months.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

There is evidence that the site might work. More conclusive studies are needed.
Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

There is evidence that the site might work. More conclusive studies are needed.

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

  1. Tate, D.F., Wing, R.R., & Winett, R.A. (2001). Using internet technology to deliver a behavioural weight loss program. JAMA, 285, 1172-1177.
  2. Tate, D.F., Jackvony, E.H., & Wing, R.R. (2003). Effects of internet behavioural counselling on weight loss in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes: A randomized trial. JAMA, 289, 1833-1836.
  3. Tate, D.F., Jackvony, E.H., & Wing, R.R. (2006). A randomized trial comparing human e-mail counselling, computer-automated tailored counselling, and no counselling in an internet weight loss program. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166, 1620-1625.

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Last Updated: October 8th 2009