Design
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1. Ensure same intervention dose within conditions
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• Fixed content in internet web-messaging
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• Feedback about weight logs and eating activity goals provided at fixed intervals
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• Professional weight loss counseling provided using fixed length, frequency and number of contact sessions
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• Peer support group provided using fixed frequency and fixed content of discussion topics posted
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• Any deviations from protocol recorded
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2. Ensure equivalent dose across conditions
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• Web-messaging content identical across intervention groups
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• Frequency of additional contact for women in professional counseling email group and peer-led discussion group is similar
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3. Plan for implementation setbacks
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• Train back-up providers for professional weight loss counselor and peer support leader positions
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Training
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1. Training of all personnel by investigators initially and at specified intervals
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2. Guidelines for content of email messages and discussion board postings established
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Intervention Delivery
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1. Investigator-prepared guide for content/concepts in newsletters and hot topics
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2. Investigator oversight of newsletters and hot topics before website posting
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3. For professional weight loss counseling via email
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• Emails copied to and monitored by investigators
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• Email messages sent and received printed and filed weekly
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4. For peer-led online support group
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• List of topics prepared have oversight by investigators prior to testing
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• Project coordinator and/or investigators monitors discussion board weekly
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• Record of discussions printed and filed weekly
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Intervention Receipt
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1. Monitoring of all participants
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• Goal-setting forms
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• Weight logs
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• Weekly hits by each participant
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2. Monitoring of participants in peer-led online support group
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• Log-in
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• Postings
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3. Monitoring of professional weight loss counseling via email
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• Return receipt used to monitor opening of email messages
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• Replies from participants printed and filed
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Enactment
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1. Monitoring of behavioral skills and cognitive strategies of participants
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• Attainment of goals
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• Assessments of weight, and eating and activity behavioral and biomarkers
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• Assessments of cognitive-perceptual influences at 6,18, and 30 months
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