Weight Management | Center for Healthcare Policy and Research

3PG’s weight management project, called the Koa Family Program, was developed with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education and CALFIRE. It’s a community-based, whole health, telewellness program addressing weight loss, healthy eating, physical activity, and overall well-being among women. The program was designed and tested through a research project, titled the Koa Family Study. In addition, the program was tested with women at the UC Davis Health, Folsom Clinic.

The Koa Family Study (KFS) was designed as a two-stage research project. The first stage consisted of formative research to obtain fresh perspectives from community members as well as public health and health care leaders regarding nutrition, physical activity, and factors associated with the ongoing obesity epidemic. Details regarding the methods, findings, and analysis of the formative research data are summarized in the report, Results of Formative Research.

The second stage of the Koa Family Study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) based on the findings of the formative research. The primary aim of the RCT was to test the impact of the program on reducing weight and improving diet, physical activity, and other health indicators. The RCT resulted in clinically significant weight loss at Week 18 of the study and the weight loss was sustained at Week 25. Additional details on the Koa Family Study and Program are found in this Published Article.

Based on the effectiveness of the Koa Family Study, 3PG conducted the Koa Family Program with patients at the UC Davis Health, Folsom Clinic. The program was customized for the clinic population. After the program concluded, all patients reported eating more healthily and a majority were more physically active and felt better, managing stress more effectively, while losing weight. Additional details are found in Koa Family Whole Health Program—Folsom Clinic Results.

View videos sharing community perspectives on the obesity epidemic.

Perspectives on improving health and well-being: reflections from community leaders

Perspectives on improving health and well-being: reflections from community members