Reducing Obesity Using Social Ties (ROBUST): Protocol for a randomized control trial of a social network lifestyle intervention

Abstract

Aim The aim of the Reducing Obesity Using Social Ties (ROBUST) study is to address negative and positive social network processes that may influence weight loss among individuals enrolled in an evidence-based, 24-week lifestyle intervention modeled after the Diabetes Prevention Program. Methods This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a tailored social network-enhanced lifestyle intervention compared to an individual-level lifestyle intervention (control group) in adults (N=132) who self-identify as Black or Hispanic and have obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Intervention participants will recruit up to two members (n=132) of their social network to participate in skill-building sessions. Intervention and control participants will receive fourteen nutrition and lifestyle coaching sessions over 24 weeks. Diet, physical activity, positive affect, social network processes, communal coping, and anthropometrics will be measured at baseline and after intervention completion at 24 weeks. Discussion This study will provide the first pragmatic evidence of the efficacy of activating a communal coping process within personal networks to optimize weight loss among Black and Hispanic adults. Our study explicitly targets a population that has been less responsive to other lifestyle approaches to weight loss. Trial registration The study protocol was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06335810).