(P15-058-24) Outcomes of a Two-Year Online Dietary and Lifestyle Weight Management Program: EMPOWER

Objectives: This study tested the efficacy of the EMPOWER weight management program regarding weight loss and behavioral changes over the two-year intervention.

Methods: EMPOWER is a two-year online weight management program emphasizing the importance of 1) Daily self-weighing, 2) Maintaining a consistent eat-sleep cycle, and 3) Eating three balanced meals containing high protein and fiber. In the first year, participants took 17 online sessions via online teaching material, eText, and were coached by a registered dietitian or trained nutrition scientist. The second year was the follow-up stage in which the participants were expected to maintain their weight loss. Inclusion criteria are: 1) age 18-75, 2) BMI >25, 3) Not currently pregnant or lactating, 4) Having Wi-Fi at home with a smartphone or PC, and 5) with at least one obesity-related comorbidity.

Results: 30 participants were recruited from two clinics in Champaign and Mattoon, Illinois, with an average age of 53.4±15.0 and a BMI of 36.4±6.1. At 12-month and 24-month, the remaining participants lost 7.9±7.4% (n=24) and 6.7±7.7% (n=20) of body weight, respectively. Four weight change patterns are identified: No weight loss (n=5), weight loss followed by maintenance or slight regain (n=20), weight loss followed by significant weight regain over baseline (n=3), and weight gain (n=2). At 12-month, participants only lost 0.7±2.0 kg skeletal muscle mass on average due to the high protein diet, which is lower than comparable programs. For all completed participants (n=20), the 1-year and 2-year weighing frequencies are 0.77±0.18 and 0.62±0.22. A significant correlation exists between weighing frequency and weight loss percentage at 3,6 and 12 months. The eating window significantly decreases on both weekdays and weekends compared to baseline (p < 0.05). There is a significant decrease in daily calories (p < 0.01) but an increase in protein density (p < 0.01) and fiber density (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: The past EMPOWER pilot study has tested the feasibility of an online weight loss program delivered by eText in people with obesity and related comorbidity. Weight loss is sustainable on the 2-year scale.

Funding Sources: USDA NIFA ILLU-698-908