JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Parents with children who have a disability or health problem report needing assistance with self-care related to their own mental and physical health problems. This single-arm pilot study examined weight change from a 12-week, all-remote, weight loss program for parents who have a child with a disability. Parents received weight loss materials via email, weekly video-based coaching calls, and weekly tailored emails. The program provided evidence-based lifestyle recommendations that included regular self-weighing, decreasing caloric intake, increasing physical activity to 150 minutes/week, tracking of these behaviors, and an initial weight loss goal of 5 pounds. Participants (N=13) were 45.5±4.3-year-old females and 76.9% (10/13) were Non-Hispanic White. There was strong compliance with weekly coaching calls (N=13, 89.1%, 10.69/12). Completer analyses (n=10) were performed using Wilcoxon signed ranked test (α=0.05) showing a significant reduction in weight from baseline to week 12 (n=10, -3.08kg, p=.017). Program improvements are needed to reduce dropouts and enhance long-term weight loss for all participants. This study was an initial step in finding effective approaches to providing weight loss support to parents with children who have a disability.