A Social-networking-site(SNS) Based Weight Loss Behavior Intervention- the Effect of Social Network and Multi-level Factors on Weight Loss

In this project, investigators plan to conduct a randomized control trial of a weight loss intervention that is remotely delivered via SNS among the obese adult patients (20-64 years old, BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) recruited from weight control clinic in a tertiary medical center in Taipei. Investigators will survey the participants' baseline characteristics at different dimensions including personal, behavioral, physiological, socio-environmental factors. Participants will be randomly assigned to a 16-week weight loss program of either enhanced intervention via Facebook group or standard intervention. After the intervention, the participants will be followed until 2 years after enrollment. Investigators will measure participants' change in weight as well as change in attitude, behavior, and physiological along the follow-up periods. Investigators proposed specific study aims as following: (1) Demonstrate the characteristics of the obese patient who visiting weight-control clinics at behavioral level, physiological level, and social level. (2) Implement an enhanced weight loss intervention by using SNS with personalized feedback (3) Investigate the social influence and the interaction between participants in the social networking site (4) Test the hypothesis that, compared with a standard behavioral weight loss intervention, the enhanced intervention would result in greater weight loss and physical benefit (5) Test the hypothesis that, the enhanced intervention would result in improvement on heath attitude, literacy, or behavior and minimize the attrition of weight loss program (6) Explore the trajectory of individual characteristics throughout the treatment course (7) Explore the predictor or correlate of successful weight loss, maintenance and attrition (8) Investigate the interrelationship between different behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors and their composite effect on weight loss (9) Refine the intervention and develop a further effective and individual