(P20-005-24) Acceptability of an 8-Week Text Message Pilot Program for Black Post-MBS Patients

Objectives: The study pilot tested an 8-week text message intervention to provide diet and general support for Black post-Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) patients. We aimed to test acceptability of the mHealth program.

Methods: Inclusion criteria included being 15-36 months post-initial MBS, identifying as Black race, and access to a text messaging device. Participants completed baseline, weekly, and post-program online surveys. Program acceptability was self-reported weekly lifestyle behavior reporting, engagement with messages, cultural appropriateness, and perceived helpfulness of content.

Results: Twenty participants enrolled in the program; all were Black race (100%), predominately female (90.0%), married (47.4%), employed full-time (84.2%), 42 years old, received sleeve gastrectomy (60.0%), were 725.42±153.24 days from surgery, with 15.90±11.39 pounds of weight regain. At post-program (n=14), 42.9%, and 35.7% of participants perceived their overall health, and diet slightly improved, respectively (5-item Likert statement from ‘Got a lot worse’ to ‘Improved a lot’). Most participants (92.9%) believed the text message program was helpful for post-MBS living information, and all believed the material was culturally appropriate (100%). On a scale of 0-100%, participants scored the material at 87.4±17.8% meeting their personal preferences. Likewise, participants reported engaging with 93.0±21.2% of the messages throughout the 8-weeks. Finally, top-ranked message material included information on recipe ideas, goal setting, and physical activity.

Conclusions: Weight loss surgeries are effective tools for sustained, long-term, weight loss. For minority MBS patients, there’s higher risk of complications, less weight loss, and lower follow-up appointment attendance. mHealth interventions can be a successful mechanism for engaging and supporting minority post-MBS patients while reducing clinic burden.

Funding Sources: This publication was supported in part, by the (1) Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) at the University of Kentucky and (2) the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL1TR001998. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.