About FAM WEL Being
The FAM WEL Being research study is designed to determine how best to build a 6-month family-centered weight loss program for adults who self-identify as African American or Black.
We know that standard weight loss programs do not work as well for Black adults, especially women, and addressing the cultural importance of family can improve weight loss success. This research study will look at how best to combine different family program components to reach the best weight loss outcomes. We will also ask questions in a separate interview to learn more about the interactions of research study participants with the people they are personally connected to and how they (their social network) influence weight loss behaviors.
In this research study you will be paired with a family member that you select to go through a 6-month weight loss program that includes 16 in-person group sessions with 5-10 family check-ins for each pair offered as in-person or online sessions. Group sessions will last about 1 hour and family check-ins about 20-45 minutes. You will have 2 study measurement visits – one at the start of the research study and the other after the 6-month weight loss program.
- African American/Black adults, ages 18-75, who are interested in losing weight.
- Participants join as family pairs, which can include spouses/partners, siblings, parents, cousins, or family like relationships (e.g., close friends considered as family).
- Research study goal: 512 participants across 256 family pairs. We plan to recruit in 5 groups of about 48 pairs
If you WANT want participate in the research study, please let us know by sending an email to FAMWELBEING@unc.edu or by calling (leave a message if we do not answer). Please let us know your preferred phone number and some good times to reach you by phone.
If you know you DO NOT want participate in the research study, please let us know at the email or phone number above.
If we do not hear from you, we will try to reach you by phone within the next 2 weeks to answer any questions you might have about the research study and to see if you would like to take part.
Overall design: This research study will assign family pairs to receive a weight loss program which includes 16 group sessions plus up to 4 family components which are described below. This design of mixing different family components will help us identify which combination gives us the best weight loss outcomes.
Randomization:
- You and your family partner (your pair) will be assigned randomly (by chance, like flipping a coin) to one of 16 research study conditions (or combination of 4 family program components) that will be added to the weight loss program.
- You and your family partner will be randomly assigned to one of 16 research study conditions (combinations of 4 family program components). These components include:
- Skills to improve communication and reduce conflict
- Skills for building family cohesion
- 10 or 5 family check-in sessions
- Online or in-person family check-ins
Weight loss program:
- The 6-month weight loss program includes 16 group sessions. The first 8 sessions are weekly, followed by biweekly sessions for the remaining 4 months. Each session lasts about 1 hour.
- Participants will be grouped into small pairs (8-12 participants) and can attend sessions with their group or other available groups based on schedule preferences.
- At the first session, you will receive a wi-fi scale to track your weight at home. Your weight data will be sent to an app, where study research assistants will monitor it.
Family Check-In sessions:
Each family pair will be randomly assigned to receive either 10 or 5 family check-in sessions and receive those sessions (as a single pair or in small groups of 2-3 pairs) either in-person or online.
- Family check-in sessions last 20-45 minutes, depending on whether they include a skill-building component (family communication, conflict resolution, or cohesion). Without skill-building, sessions are about 5-10 minutes.
- For online check-ins, you can select a time that works best within the allowed time frame.
- For in-person check-ins, you can either complete your session before or after the core weight loss group or choose another time within the allowed time frame.
You will receive the weight loss programs free of charge. Your only costs will be traveling to the research site for FAM WEL Being group sessions.
Participants will receive:
- $160 after completing two survey and measurement visits you complete ($80 per completed visit)
- Fitbit smartwatch after enrollment
- Raffle entry to an additional $30 for a social network interview at the 6-month final data collection. Recipient will be randomly selected (like flipping a coin)
- We will first call to discuss the research study, answer any questions, confirm your interest, and check your eligibility.
- If eligible and interested, we’ll schedule a second call to review and sign the consent form (online or in person).
- You’ll then complete some surveys online or by phone.
- Finally, we’ll invite you to our research office for study measures, random assignment to a group, and your first program session. You’ll also receive a FitBit to track your measurements.
