Weight loss on the web: A pilot study comparing a commercial website to a structured behavioral intervention
Beth Casey Gold, University of Vermont (UVM), Susan Burke, eDiets.com, Paul Buzzell, UVM, Stephen Pintauro, UVM, Jean Harvey-Berino, UVM

As obesity rates rise, self-help treatment programs increase in popularity. However, little is known about the effectiveness of self-help programs delivered online. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of a university-based, structured behavioral intervention (VTrim) vs. a commercial weight loss website (eDiets.com). One hundred and twenty-four overweight and obese subjects (47± 9yrs, BMI 32± 3 kg/m2, 20% men) were randomly assigned to 6-month VTrim (n=62) or eDiets (n=62) interventions. VTrim participants had access to a therapist-led structured behavioral weight loss program delivered online. eDiets subjects had access to a commercial online weight loss program. Measures (0, 25 weeks) included body weight, social support, and utilization of web site components. VTrim subjects lost significantly more weight than those on eDiets (8.3± 7.8 kg vs. 4.1± 6.2 kg, p=.004). VTrim participants had significantly more log-ins over 6 months (p<.001) and reported feeling more group support (6.9+3.1 vs. 3.6+2.8, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A structured online behavioral intervention produces greater weight losses than a commercial weight loss site. Because commercial sites have a great potential public health impact, future research should investigate the feasibility of incorporating a more structured behavioral program into a commercial application.