Pilot Study on Weight Loss in Guinea Bissau
Pilot Study on Weight Loss in Guinea Bissau
The purpose of this study is to test two versions a weight loss program potentially suitable
 for implementation in Africa. A successful method would have widespread application in
 low-income countries, with the potential to improve world health.
Specific Aim 1 is to conduct a 3-4 month pilot study randomizing participants to two versions
 of a weight loss program. The program will be implemented in a convenience sample of
 overweight and obese adults living in Guinea-Bissau and measure changes in body weight loss
 (primary outcome), adherence to program recommendations including recommended food patterns,
 blood pressure, eating behavior, physical activity and mood (secondary outcomes). The data
 will be used to refine the weight loss program and conduct power calculations for a future
 trial.

 Specific Aim 2 is to analyze associations between weight loss, participant demographics and
 program metrics, to explore reasons for differences in weight loss between participants.
 Factors to be tested include participant BMI, gender and age, as well as adherence to meal
 portion recommendations, use of sugar-sweetened beverages and provided foods, and physical
 activity.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Men and women who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2).

 -  Want to lose weight, want to enroll in the study and are willing to sign the informed
 consent form.

 -  Anticipate being able to meet the study requirements for food habits and study
 meetings, and anticipate remaining in Bissau for the study duration.

 -  Between the ages of 20 to 65 years.

 -  Non-pregnant women, and those who do not intend on becoming pregnant during the course
 of the study.

 -  A doctor or nurse has signed a note approving participant in the weight loss
 intervention after seeing a copy of the handout with title "Instructions for Bissau
 Weight Loss Pilot Project", and a copy of his/her approval is given to the research
 staff.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Report food allergies or intolerance or health conditions that would prevent
 consumption of provided and recommended foods.

 -  Participation in another concurrent nutrition research study.

 -  If premenopausal (<55 years of age), they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
 during the course of the study, or are not using a birth control method to prevent
 pregnancy.