Background Latino immigrants have high rates of obesity and face barriers to weight loss. Objective Evaluate the effectiveness of a case-management (CM) intervention with and without community health workers (CHWs) for weight loss. Design Two-year, randomized controlled trial comparing two interventions to each other and to usual care (UC). Participants/setting Eligible participants included Latinos with a Body Mass Index of 30-60 and one or more heart disease risk factors. The 207 participants recruited from 2009-2011 had a mean age of 47 years and were mostly female (77%). At 24 months, 86% of the sample was assessed. Intervention The CM+CHW (n=82) and CM (n=84) interventions were compared to each other and to UC (n=41). Both included an intensive 12 month phase followed by 12 months of maintenance. The CM+CHW group received home visits. Main outcome measures Weight change at 24 months. Statistical Analyses Generalized estimating equations using intent-to-treat. Results At 6 months, mean weight loss in the CM+CHW arm was −2.1 kg (95% CI −2.8, −1.3) or −2% of baseline weight (−1%, −2%) compared to −1.6 kg (−2.4, −0.7; % weight change: −2%, −1%, −3%) in CM and −0.9 kg (−1.8, 0.1; % weight change: −1%, 0%, −2%) in UC. By 12 and 24 months, differences narrowed and CM+CHW was no longer statistically distinct. Men achieved greater weight loss than women in all groups at each time point (p<0.05). At 6 months, men in the CM+CHW arm lost more weight (−4.4 kg, −6.0, −2.7) compared to UC (−0.4 kg, −2.4, 1.5), but by 12 and 24 months differences were not significant. Conclusions Incorporation of CHWs may help promote early weight loss, especially among men, but it did not achieve weight maintenance. Social and environmental influences may need to be addressed to achieve sustained weight loss in Latino immigrant populations.

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