Overview
This study is being done to better understand whether meal replacements can be an effective tool for weight loss and treatment of elevated blood sugars in people with obesity/overweight and diabetes/pre-diabetes who have a low income.
Description
The Medically Intensive Nutritional Therapy (MINT) program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Weight Center is a low-calorie nutrition plan that may offer a solution for those who have difficulty implementing a low-calorie dietary plan on their own. This study examines the effects of MINT on weight loss and blood sugar control specifically in a low-income population and explores potential reasons for discontinuing the program.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18-65
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 27 kg/m^2
- HgA1C greater than or equal to 5.7 percent or fasting glucose greater than or equal to 100mg/dL within the previous 6 months
- Low-income as defined by having a family income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines for 2022
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current use of antihyperglycemic agents (other than metformin) or approved antiobesity medications or plans to start such regimens over the 3 months post-study enrollment
- HbA1c greater than or equal to 10 percent
- Plans to pursue bariatric surgery over the 6 months post-study enrollment
- Weight loss of greater than 5 kg within the previous 3 months
- Current active eating disorder, with the exception of binge eating disorder
- Severe active psychiatric disease or significant cognitive impairment deemed by investigator likely to impede adherence to piloted intervention
- Active illicit substance abuse
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering pregnancy within the next 6 months
- Current participation in another clinical research trial deemed by investigator to conflict with current study