1. An Automated Internet Behavioral Weight-Loss Program by Physician Referral: A Randomized Controlled Trial Featured Article: J. Graham Thomas, Tricia M. Leahey, and Rena R. Wing Diabetes Care Volume 38: 9-15 January, 2015

2. STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate 3- and 6-month weight-loss outcomes achieved when physicians refer overweight/obese patients to an automated 3-month Internet-based behavioral weight-loss intervention Thomas J. G. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:9-15

3. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS 154 patients age 18–70 years with a BMI between 25 and 45 kg/m2 and access to a personal computer and the Internet were randomly assigned to 3 months of Internet behavioral intervention (IBI) Intervention included: 12 weekly videos teaching behavioral weight-loss skills A platform for submitting self-monitored data Automated feedback or an education-only Internet- delivered eating and activity (IDEA) control group Outcome measures were weight loss after 3 months (primary outcome) and 6 months and changes in weight- control behaviors (secondary outcomes) Thomas J. G. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:9-15

5. RESULTS IBI produced significantly larger mean weight losses than IDEA at 3 and 6 months Participants in the IBI compared with IDEA group were more likely to achieve a clinically significant weight loss of 5% of initial body weight at 3 and 6 months Thomas J. G. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:9-15

9. CONCLUSIONS Physician referral to an Internet-based behavioral weight- loss intervention produced clinically significant weight loss for over half of the patients studied Thomas J. G. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:9-15