Brown graduate student is the lead researcher into a year-long study of whether interactive guidance through the Internet would help people lose weight.
Despite her desire to lose weight, Julia Aston struggled to find time in her schedule of work and family to make the 20-minute drive to a nutritionist for counseling.
So when Aston got the chance to participate in a study that allowed her to go no farther than her desktop computer for advice on shedding unwanted pounds, she took it - and lost 35.
"For me it worked because I'm here at work anyway - I could do it at any time," said Aston, 47, of Saugus, Mass. The nutritionist had been "good, but I had to get there. There were always reasons why I had to cancel or reschedule."
Aston is one of about 90 people, each more than 20 pounds overweight, who joined a year-long study into whether interactive guidance through the Internet would help people lose weight.
After the first three months, those in the group who received online interaction lost more weight than those in the control group who received only educational information - nine pounds compared to three. (Those were the preliminary findings; Aston has completed the study but researchers have not yet reported the final results.)
Both groups were given an initial 45-minute counseling session on weight loss. Both had access to an intranet site that offered information on how to lose weight and provided weight-loss resources.
But Aston's group also got feedback on the steps they were taking. They logged detailed self-monitoring diaries of calorie and fat intake and exercise, received weekly advice as to how to improve, and could access an online bulletin board for social support.
That type of interaction has already proven to work in a clinic setting and the question was whether it would also work online, according to lead researcher Deborah F. Tate, a graduate student in psychiatry and human behavior at the School of Medicine.
The amount of weight lost was comparable to clinic settings, said Tate. People typically lose an average of one pound a week in the clinic setting, or about 12 pounds over three months.
Given the initial results, the online setup may provide an option for someone who lacks time to attend weekly meetings, she said.
"We were providing people with another alternative - not necessarily a better alternative - but an alternative," said Tate. "If the Internet proves successful then these programs will increase access to care."
Although the study will not conclude until next month, the three-month data already received widespread media attention based on Tate's presentation at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity last November.
Another portion of the findings - up through six months - was presented April 7 at the Society for Behavioral Medicine. Overall, the study found that participants maintained their weight loss through that time, said Tate.
But the long-term question still needs to be answered, said Tate. People reap health benefits only if they keep the weight off.
Aston admits that her success is tied to her own motivation; she was at the point in her life when she felt strongly about losing weight.
And "you can't say this is for everyone," she said. "You have to be willing to write down everything."
Keeping track of diet and exercise is time consuming and tedious, according to Aston, but the advantage is that it can be done at any time of the day. And sharing that information through the Internet allows for anonymity that may appeal to those who don't like to report about their habits in front of a group, she added.
Although the study is over and she no longer logs weekly reports, Aston continues to keep track of all the calories she consumes - from her first cup of coffee in the morning until she goes to bed. She also continues to keep track of every calorie burned.
"I mean, it worked," said Aston. "I feel great ... I've been buying clothes up the wazoo."