Who can participate? - This study is open to adults (over the age of 17) who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27. You can CLICK HERE to determine if your BMI qualifies you to become a part of this path-breaking research project. Additionally, all applicants must have the approval of their primary care doctor, and must be willing to attend monthly follow-up visits in Janesville, Wisconsin to meet with the health care professionals who are supervising this study. Patients will be excluded if they are pregnant, lactating or are clinically inappropriate based on their primary care physician's evaluation.

How much will it cost me? - There are no fees or costs directly associated with participating in this research project. However, you will need the approval of your primary care doctor to participate. This may or may not involve medical expenses, depending upon your individual situation and current health insurance policy (please contact your insurance provider for specific details.) Additionally, you will be expected to purchase your own food products, which is not anticipated to exceed your current grocery expenses. All four arms of the study utilize foods that are readily available at your local food stores. Any other items required by the study protocol, as well as individualized counseling, education, and Internet-based support will be provided to you at no charge.

What will I have to do? - If you are selected to participate in this research, you will be required to attend a 2 hour orientation meeting and training session (to be held in Janesville, WI), where you will receive the training, materials and instructions on how to follow your personalized treatment plan. You will also be expected to attend brief monthly follow-up visits, where your progress will be monitored and recorded by our care managers. For the sixteen week duration of the study, you will be required to interact with the Internet-based components of the weight loss program. This will include dietary and exercise planning and reporting, lifestyle training and educational modules, and web-based support and group activities such as live chats and threaded discussion forums. Throughout the study you will have web-based, email and telephone access to our care managers who will be supporting your weight loss efforts. At the conclusion of your participation in this study you will be asked to complete an evaluation of the program.

How long will the study last? - The duration of this study is sixteen (16) weeks from the date of the initial orientation meeting.

How much weight will I lose? - While individual weight loss will vary from patient to patient, it is anticipated that participants who closely follow the study guidelines will lose between 1 to 1.5 pounds per week for the duration of the study. Average weight loss is expected to range from 15 to 25 pounds. This estimate is based upon a 700 calorie/day deficit diet, and a 1,000 calorie/week exercise plan.

What will I get for participating? - Each participant will receive a personalized weight loss plan including diet, exercise and lifestyle change. You will receive a workbook, an exercise monitor (pedometer), and individualized counseling from certified professionals. You will use an Internet website for food and exercise monitoring and have e-mail access to professionals who will help you succeed.

Who is conducting the research? - This research is being conducted by betterMD.net, Inc., an Internet-based disease management company, under the direct supervision of David Murdy, M.D., M.B.A., an Internal Medicine doctor who has specialized in medical treatment of obesity for over ten years. Dr. Murdy is the President and Chief Medical Officer of betterMD.net, Inc. The study is also being overseen by an Independent Review Board, consisting of Health Care professionals and other industry leaders to ensure compliance with medical research ethics and guidelines. The research is being funded in part by the National Dairy Council®.

How will the research be used? - The results of this study will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of dairy enhanced meal plans in conjunction with Internet-supported weight loss. Results may be published by the principle investigator, Dr. David Murdy, and presented within the medical community. However, all data will be reported in accordance with our privacy policies to protect and preserve the anonymity of study participants.

How can I get started? - Once you have determined that you meet the basic requirements (click here to determine) you will complete an online application and medical profile. This self-reported profile will be used to generate an informed consent document and physician's authorization form. You should complete the consent document, and have your primary care doctor complete the physician's authorization form, then return copies of both to betterMD.net. Upon receipt of these documents, you will be assigned to one of the arms of the study and scheduled to attend one of the Orientation meetings (to be held in Janesville, WI.) At this meeting, you will receive training from health care professionals to set up your individualized treatment plan, and any supplies/materials that you will require. You will then be expected to utilize the special web site created for this study to record and report your progress - and you will attend brief monthly follow-up sessions (in-person) to have your progress monitored and recorded by our care managers.

All study applicants must receive authorization to participate from their primary care physician and meet study protocol criteria.

CONTACT:

David Murdy, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer & Principal Investigator
betterMD.net, Inc.
email: david.murdy@betterMD.net
phone: 608.754.7339
fax: 775.254.5116
toll free: 877.578.1067

The goal is to test if simple, dairy-based diets and Internet-based support will result in higher levels of compliance and weight loss in well-supervised outpatients over a sixteen (16) week trial. All patients will receive personalized diet instruction and exercise guidance from certified health care professionals, as well as a cognitive and behavioral curriculum using an interactive web site. Study participants will also receive a digital pedometer and program textbook at no charge. Patients will be excluded if they are pregnant, lactating or are clinically inappropriate based on their primary care physician's evaluation.

betterMD.net will coordinate this randomized trial for sixteen (16) weeks and provide clinical support through its secure Internet web site. Patients will participate with the approval of their own primary care physicians and will have individual and group support through the betterMD.net care managers.

This research is being conducted under the supervision of an Independent Review Board (IRB) to ensure compliance with medical research ethics and standards.

All study applicants must receive authorization to participate from their primary care physician and meet study protocol criteria.

To learn more about betterMD.net CLICK HERE or call us toll free! (877) 578-1067