Efficacy of an Online Weight Loss Program for Mexican Adults: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Alma Lorena Ruelas Yanes, Teresita de Jesús Martínez‐Contreras, Maria del Carmen Candia‐Plata, Julián Esparza‐Romero, Ana Lourdes Mata‐Pineda, Arelly Ornelas‐Vargas, Rolando Giovanni Díaz‐Zavala, Michelle M. HabyABSTRACT
Background
Obesity is a major public health crisis in Mexico. With internet usage rapidly increasing, digital health interventions present a clear opportunity for treating obesity. This study addressed a key gap in research by evaluating a web‐based Intensive Lifestyle Modification intervention adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program for weight loss (DPP‐web) in this population.
Methods
To evaluate the efficacy of the DPP‐web in Mexican adults with overweight or obesity at 3 and 6 months compared with a wait‐list control group, a randomized controlled trial ( n = 62) with two groups was conducted. The primary outcome was the change in weight at 3 months, with secondary outcomes including changes in anthropometric parameters, quality of life and depressive symptoms at three and 6 months, and biochemical measures at 3 months.
Results
Participants, predominantly women (81%), with an average age of 31.5 ± 8.6 years and BMI of 33.4 ± 4.85 kg/m 2 , had retention rates of 77% at 3 months and 60% at 6 months. The treatment effect by intention‐to‐treat analysis was −3.65 kg (95% CI −5.41, −1.89, p < 0.01) at 3 months and −5.50 kg (95% CI −7.58, −3.41) at 6 months, favoring the DPP‐group.
Conclusions
The DPP‐web was effective for weight loss in the Mexican population at three and 6 months and could help to improve access to an effective obesity treatment in Spanish‐speaking countries, including Mexico.