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

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Limited evidence-based weight control programs exist for Deaf populations.
• Culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions are crucial for health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) intervention for weight management in Deaf adults.
• To address the gap in accessible and evidence-based weight loss programs for the Deaf community.

Main Methods:

• Community-based participatory research guided the DWW trial design and intervention.
• 104 Deaf adults (aged 40-70, BMI 25-45) were randomized to immediate or delayed intervention groups.
• Data were collected over 24 months, with all leaders and participants being Deaf ASL users.

Main Results:

• At 6 months, the immediate intervention group showed a mean weight change of -3.4 kg compared to the delayed group (p=0.0424).
• 61.6% of participants in the immediate arm achieved ≥5% weight loss versus 18.1% in the delayed arm (p<0.001).
• High engagement was observed with 69% session attendance and 92% data collection completion.

Conclusions:

• The DWW intervention is a successful, community-engaged, culturally appropriate, and language-accessible behavioral weight loss program for Deaf American Sign Language users.
• This study highlights the importance of tailored interventions for underserved populations to achieve health goals.