Deaf Weight Wise: A novel randomized clinical trial with Deaf sign language users

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to address the absence of evidence-based weight-control programs developed for use with Deaf people. Methods: Community-based participatory research informed the design of the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) trial and intervention. DWW focuses primarily on healthy lifestyle and weight through change in diet and exercise. The study enrolled 104 Deaf adults aged 40 to 70 years with BMI of 25 to 45 from community settings in Rochester, New York, and randomized participants to immediate intervention (n = 48) or 1-year delayed intervention (n = 56). The delayed intervention serves as a no-intervention comparison until the trial midpoint. The study collected data five times (every 6 months) from baseline to 24 months. All DWW intervention leaders and participants are Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL).Results: At 6 months, the difference in mean weight change for the immediateintervention arm versus the delayed-intervention arm (no intervention yet) was À3.4 kg (multiplicity-adjusted p = 0.0424; 95% CI: À6.1 to À0.8 kg). Most (61.6%) in the immediate arm lost ≥5% of baseline weight versus 18.1% in the no-interventionyet arm (p < 0.001). Participant engagement indicators include mean attendance of 11/16 sessions (69%), and 92% completed 24-month data collection.Conclusion: DWW, a community-engaged, culturally appropriate, and languageaccessible behavioral weight loss intervention, was successful with Deaf ASL users.Deaf Weight Wise Study Group members are listed in Acknowledgments.

Health outcomes in Deaf signing populations: A systematic review

“…Additionally, the impact of a health condition on other health outcomes can created further health inequalities. For example, although not a comparison to the general population, Barnett et al [ 44 ] study which involved a whole sample who were overweight/obese (BMI of 25 or greater) and the biometric outcomes were recorded by a research nurse, 13.5% had diabetes, 37.5% had high blood pressure, 53.8% had high cholesterol, 2.9% had heart disease, 39.6% had a PHQ-9 score indicative of at least mild depression. However, the strength and quality of the evidence available overall is questionable.…”

Health outcomes in Deaf signing populations: a systematic review

“…The findings from this systematic review demonstrate that, in general, physical health and mental health outcomes in Deaf signing populations are worse when compared with general population samples. Additionally, the impact of a health condition on other health outcomes can created further health inequalities, for example, although not a comparison to the general population, Barnett et al [44] study which involved a whole sample who were overweight/obese (BMI of 25 or greater) and the biometric outcomes were recorded by a research nurse, 13.5% had diabetes, 37.5% had high blood pressure, 53.8% had high cholesterol, 2.9% had heart disease, 39.6% had a PHQ-9 score indicative of at least mild depression. However, the strength and quality of the evidence available is questionable.…”