Background: Given the epidemic of obesity, approaches to weight loss that can be applied on a community, state, or national level are needed. This project is an ongoing evaluation of Shape Up Rhode Island (SURI) program, a state-wide Internet based program involving team-based competition to increase physical activity and achieve weight loss.
Aim: To enhance the effectiveness of SURI utilizing a minimal contact intervention delivered online.
Design: SURI 2009 participants were invited to join a research study focusing on weight loss. Interested participants were randomized to two groups including a SURI Enhanced group (behavioral intervention presented in 12 weekly online presentations, daily self-monitoring, and weekly automated feedback) or a SURI Standard group (group given a list of previously existing online resources to aid with weight loss).
