WW Improving Nutrition Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Prior treatment

• Had bariatric surgery or plans to have any surgery during the study
• Weight loss of ≥ 5 kg (11 lb) in the previous 6 months
• Taking any prescription medication with known effects on appetite or weight (e.g., oral steroids, weight loss medications such as Qysmia, Contrave, Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira) and others except for subjects on a stable dose of Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for 6 months or longer
• History of heart problems (e.g., angina, bypass surgery, myocardial infarction, etc.) within previous 6 months
• Major surgery within the previous 6 months

Other illness

• Self-reported bipolar disorder, substance abuse, psychosis, bulimia.
• All other mental health, including other eating disorders will be assessed using a self-report question on the initial screening survey.
• Reported health problems that make weight loss or unsupervised exercise unsafe or unreasonable (e.g., chronic pain, orthopedic limitations, heart problems)
• Untreated thyroid disease or any changes (type or dose) in thyroid medication in last 6 months
• Chronic/inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders (irritable bowel syndrome is acceptable)
• Diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Presence of implanted cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker
• History of cancer within past 5 years or current treatment for cancer
• Hospitalization for psychiatric disorders during the past 12 months

Other

• Pregnant, lactating, or plans to become pregnant during study period
• Meets criteria for severe depression on the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) (score of \>20)
• Unable or not willing to make dietary changes or increase physical activity
• Unable to walk ¼ mile unaided without stopping
• Daily nicotine user: smoke, vape, tobacco, other
• Participants that are currently trying to lose weight via a structured weight-loss program (e.g., at a medical center, university, commercial programs)
• Participants who were a member of WW within the past 12 months
• Participants who are involved in any other research studies at this time

• Self-reported desire to lose weight
• English proficiency
• Ages: 18 - 70 years old
• BMI between 27-45 kg/m2
• Owns a smartphone with a camera
• Wi-Fi connectivity at home
• Willing to follow recommendations required by study protocol
• Willing to actively participate in a behavioral weight loss program for 6 months and to attend virtual workshop meetings
• Willing to include demographic information (e.g., ethnicity, income, and education)
• US residence (48 contiguous States)
• Must be able to receive in the mail a weight scale.