Impact of Online Weight Management With Peer Coaching on Physical Activity Levels of Adults With Serious Mental Illness

Objective:Many adults with serious mental illness are sedentary and experience significant medical illness burden. This study examined the effectiveness of online weight management with peer coaching (WebMOVE) for increasing general physical activity among adults with serious mental illness.Methods:Using quantitative and qualitative data from a randomized controlled trial (N=276), this study compared WebMOVE, in-person weight management for adults with serious mental illness (MOVE SMI), and usual care. Participants completed assessments of general physical activity (baseline, three months, and six months) and a qualitative assessment (six months). Mixed-effects models examined group × time interactions on general physical activity.Results:There were significant differences between MOVE SMI and usual care for total physical activity at three (t=3.06, p=.002) and six (t=3.12, p=.002) months, walking at six months (t=1.99, p=.048), and moderate (t=2.12, p=.035) and vigorous (t=2.34, p=.020) physical activity...