Internet treatment for patients with obesity

The project studies an internet treatment for patients with obesity in a randomized controlled clinical trial and in a qualitative interview study.

The internet treatment is a development of the Step by step treatment model that has been used in Region Örebro County since 2010. The purpose of the treatment is to increase the patients knowledge of the disease obesity, to provide support for lifestyle changes and to reduce weight stigma related psychosocial problems. The treatment lasts for 6 moths and includes 12 treatment modules. Each module end with home assignements to be completed before the next module is activated. Participants receive feed back from a health care professional at the Obesity unit. 

Primary outcome measure in the randomized study is obesity-specific quality of life after 12 months. Secondary outcome measures are for example weight reduction as a percentage of the initial weight, general health related quality of life, dietary habits, physical activity and percentage of participants who complete the treatment program.

The purpose of the interview study is to investigate the participants experiences of the internet treatment. The semi-structured interviews are conducted after completion of the treatment in a digital meeting or by telephone.