# Collaborate2Lose: Collaborating with romantic and non-romantic support persons to improve long-term weight loss

> **NIH VA I01** · WM S. MIDDLETON MEMORIAL VETERANS HOSP · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Background: Over 40% of Veterans have obesity, a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases. Weight loss
interventions produce clinically significant weight loss, yet weight regain commonly occurs due to declining
adherence to lifestyle changes. These changes are often substantially influenced by others in the home. Thus,
involving both Veterans and a cohabiting support person in weight management efforts could improve long-
term weight loss. The goal of the proposed trial is to evaluate the efficacy of involving romantic and non-
romantic support persons in weight management efforts to sustain long-term weight loss in Veterans.
Significance: This study will contribute to our long-term goal of implementing effective approaches to reduce
obesity and associated comorbidities among Veterans. This proposal addresses Health Services Research &
Development priorities of access, primary care practice, and virtual care and Office of Research &
Development priority of providing Veterans with access to high-quality clinical trials. The importance of
identifying efficacious strategies for weight loss maintenance was highlighted in a 2016 State-of-the-Art
conference on weight management.
Innovation: We will substantially enhance prior work and the MOVE! program offered through the VA by 1)
teaching Veterans and their support persons to apply communication and support skills to support Veteran
weight management and 2) focusing on long-term weight loss.
Specific Aims: Aim 1: Compare effects of patient-only and partner-assisted interventions on long-term weight
loss (primary outcome) and obesity-specific quality of life (secondary outcome). Our primary hypothesis is that
average weight loss from baseline among Veterans will be at least 3 percentage points greater, a clinically
meaningful difference, in the partner-assisted arm than the patient-only arm at 72 weeks. Aim 2: Evaluate the
extent to which early intervention effects are mediated by changes in interdependence theory constructs
(transformation of motivation, couple efficacy, outcome expectancy, and social support). Aim 3: Evaluate
implementation outcomes of appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility among MOVE! Coordinators via
validated surveys and qualitative interviews, and evaluate treatment receipt and enactment among a subset of
participating Veterans and support persons via qualitative interviews.
Methodology: This is a two-arm randomized trial. Participants: Dyads comprising a Veteran with obesity and a
cohabiting adult support person. Intervention: Index patients will participate in a group-based weight
management program using the Veterans Affairs (VA) national MOVE! weight management curriculum and
delivered using the VA virtual technology platform, VA Video Connect. Support persons will join the sessions,
and dyads will learn and practice communication skills. Comparison: Veterans will participate in the weight
management program without a support person. Outcomes: The primary outcome i...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10982447
- **Project number:** 5I01HX003480-03
- **Recipient organization:** WM S. MIDDLETON MEMORIAL VETERANS HOSP
- **Principal Investigator:** Corrine Ione Voils
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10982447

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10982447, Collaborate2Lose: Collaborating with romantic and non-romantic support persons to improve long-term weight loss (5I01HX003480-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10982447. Licensed CC0.

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