--- title: "Virtual small groups for weight management in obese men. | Sutter Health" description: "Virtual small groups may be an effective means of allowing face-to-face group interaction, while overcoming some barriers to access." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/virtual-small-groups-weight-mgmt-in-obese-men-1055312966" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Virtual small groups for weight management in obese men. # Virtual small groups for weight management: an innovative delivery mechanism for evidence-based lifestyle interventions among obese men. Azar KM, Aurora M, Wang EJ, Muzaffar A, Pressman A, & Palaniappan LP. _Transl Behav Med. 5(1):37-44. doi: 10.1007/s13142-014-0296-6._ 2015-03-01 ## Abstract While group interventions for weight management have been shown to be efficacious, adherence is often low, especially among men. This pilot study seeks to test whether group interventions using web-based group video conferencing (VC) technology is effective for weight loss. We adapted a 12-week curriculum based on the Diabetes Prevention Program, and delivered this intervention to a small group of men (BMI ≥30 kg/m(2)), using web-based group VC. Participants were randomized to intervention (n = 32) or delayed-intervention control group (n = 32). The intervention group lost 3.5 % (95 % CI 2.1 %, 4.9 %) of their initial body weight. Difference in mean weight loss was 3.2 kg (p = 0.0002), and mean BMI decrease was 1.0 kg/m(2) (p = 0.0010) between the two groups. Virtual small groups may be an effective means of allowing face-to-face group interaction, while overcoming some barriers to access. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25729451) ![Kristen M J Azar, RN, MSN, MPH](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/rFmyR1kiX8JzE5-XNwup0gVC1GRaVTlH7oSDlG0Tr5A/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Kristen M J Azar, RN, MSN, MPH Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/kristen-m-j-azar-rn-msn-mph-1049680985) ## Research topics - [Diabetes, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Diabetes%2C+Insulin+Resistance+and+Metabolic+Syndrome%5C%22%22) - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Food and Nutrition](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Food+and+Nutrition%5C%22%22) - [Health Disparities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Disparities%5C%22%22) - [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22) - [Men's Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Men%27s+Health%5C%22%22) - [Obesity](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Obesity%5C%22%22) - [Prevention and Health Maintenance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Prevention+and+Health+Maintenance%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [A Latino Patient-Centered, Evidence-Based Approach to Diabetes Prevention.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/latino-pt-centered-evidence-based-approach-to-dm-prevention-1055312326) Rosas LG, Lv N, Lewis MA, Venditti EM, Zavella P, Luna V, Ma J. J Am Board Fam Med. 31(3):364-374. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2018.03.170280. 2018 May 01 - Publication ### [HOMBRE: A randomized controlled trial to compare two approaches to weight loss for overweight and obese Latino men (men with choices to improve well-being and decrease chronic disease risk).](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/hombre-rct-weight-loss-approaches-latino-men-1055312293) Rosas LG, Lv N, Azar KMJ, Xiao L, Hooker SP, Lewis MA, Zavella P, Venditti EM, Ma J. Contemp Clin Trials. pii: S1551-7144(17)30629-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.02.019. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2018 Mar 02 - Publication ### [Evaluation of a culturally-adapted lifestyle intervention to treat elevated cardiometabolic risk of Latino adults in primary care (Vida Sana): a randomized controlled trial.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/eval-outpt-diabetes-prev-prog-latino-adults-1055312475) Rosas LG, Lv N, Xiao L, Lewis M, Zavella P, Kramer MK, Luna V, Ma J. Contemp Clin Trials. pii: S1551-7144(16)30029-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2016.03.003. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2016 Mar 16 - Publication ### [Precision lifestyle medicine: a new frontier in the science of behavior change and population health.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/precision-lifestyle-medicine-1055312346) Ma J, Rosas LG, Lv N. Am J Prev Med. pii: S0749-3797(15)00638-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.09.035. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2015 Dec 01 - Publication ### [Barriers and facilitators to real-world implementation of the Diabetes Prevention Program in large healthcare systems: lifestyle coach perspectives.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/barriers-facilitators-diabetes-prev-program-implementation-1055312731) Halley MC, Petersen J, Nasrallah C, Szwerinski N, Romanelli R, Azar KMJ. J Gen Intern Med. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-05744-y. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2020 Apr 06 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/virtual-small-groups-weight-mgmt-in-obese-men-1055312966#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Virtual small groups for weight management in obese men."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/virtual-small-groups-weight-mgmt-in-obese-men-1055312966#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Virtual small groups for weight management: an innovative delivery mechanism for evidence-based lifestyle interventions among obese men.","headline":"Virtual small groups for weight management in obese men.","abstract":"While group interventions for weight management have been shown to be efficacious, adherence is often low, especially among men. 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