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. 2017 Jan;25(1):45-55.
doi: 10.1002/oby.21700. Epub 2016 Dec 2.

Family PArtners in Lifestyle Support (PALS): Family-based weight loss for African American adults with type 2 diabetes

Carmen D Samuel-Hodge  1   2 , Judith C Holder-Cooper  3   4 , Ziya Gizlice  2 , Gwendolyn Davis  2 , Sonia P Steele  2 , Thomas C Keyserling  2   5 , Shiriki K Kumanyika  6 , Phillip J Brantley  7 , Laura P Svetkey  8
Affiliations

Family PArtners in Lifestyle Support (PALS): Family-based weight loss for African American adults with type 2 diabetes

Carmen D Samuel-Hodge et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To develop and test a family-centered behavioral weight loss intervention for African American adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this randomized trial, dyads consisting of an African American adult with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes (index participant) paired with a family partner with overweight or obesity but not diagnosed with diabetes were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to a 20-week special intervention (SI) or delayed intervention (DI) control group. The primary outcome was weight loss among index participants at the 20-week follow-up.

Results: One hundred eight participants (54 dyads-36 (SI) and 18 (DI) dyads) were enrolled: 81% females; mean age, 51 years; mean weight,103 kg; and mean BMI, 37 kg/m2 . At post-intervention, 96 participants (89%) returned for follow-up measures. Among index participants, mean difference in weight loss between groups was -5.0 kg, P <0.0001 (-3.6 kg loss among SI; 1.4 kg gain in DI). SI index participants showed significantly greater improvements in hemoglobin A1c, depressive symptoms, family interactions, and dietary, physical activity, and diabetes self-care behaviors. SI family partners also had significant weight loss (-3.9 kg (SI) vs. -1.0 kg (DI), P = 0.02).

Conclusions: A family-centered, behavioral weight loss intervention led to clinically significant short-term weight loss among family dyads.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Study flow diagram
aIndex = participant in dyad with diagnosed diabetes. Both participants in the dyad had to complete baseline measures before randomization. Only index participants (n=54) included in primary analysis of weight loss. Returnees included in secondary analyses.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Adjusted mean difference in weight outcomes between SI and DI groups (completers)
Values are means (SE). Mean differences between groups of index participants were adjusted for baseline value, diastolic blood pressure, and weekly frequency of eating breakfast. Mean differences between groups of family partners were adjusted for baseline value, diastolic blood pressure, gender, and values for perceived stress, depressive symptoms, family problem-solving and communication total score, frequency of making dinner at home.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Weight change by attendance at weekly sessions among index and family participants (completers)
Time points (weeks) for weight assessment are depicted on the horizontal axis. Week 20 session is the end of the randomized trial. Last weight is brought forward for those with missing values. Four lines show weight loss among completers attending all sessions, those above and below the median number of sessions attended, and the average.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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