A Mobile Weight Loss Intervention (AYA Connect) for Weight Management among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Inclusion Criteria

• Currently age 18-39
• Diagnosed with first invasive cancer between the ages of 15-39 years old
• Within 10 years of diagnosis with no evidence of progressive disease or second primary cancers
• Completed active cancer directed therapy (cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or definitive surgical intervention) at least six months prior to enrollment, except may be receiving “maintenance” therapy to prevent recurrences
• Body mass index (BMI) of 25-50 kg/m^2

Exclusion Criteria

• Type 1 diabetes or currently receiving medical treatment for type 2 diabetes
• Report a history of heart attack or stroke within previous 6 months
• Health problems which preclude ability to walk for physical activity (e.g., lower limb amputation) - To ensure medical readiness to begin physical activity, participants will complete a physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q), a reliable and extensively used questionnaire. The PAR-Q assesses for the following medical conditions: heart problems, chest pains, faintness or dizzy spells, high blood pressure, bone or joint problems such as arthritis that has been or could be aggravated by exercise, prescription medication use, and other medical reasons why exercise would not be advisable. Participants endorsing items 1-4 on the PAR-Q (experience of heart problems, frequent chest pains, or faintness or dizziness) will be excluded from the study as these pre-existing medical condition(s) preclude adherence to an unsupervised exercise program. Participants endorsing other items 5-7 (i.e., high blood pressure, bone or joint problems such as arthritis that has been or could be aggravated by exercise, prescription medication use, other medical conditions that could limit exercise, or current treatment for hypertension or hyperlipidemia will be required to obtain written physician consent to participate
• Lost 5% or more of body weight (and kept it off) in the last 3 months
• Past diagnosis of or receiving treatment for a clinically diagnosed eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa) or any compensatory behaviors within the previous 3 months
• Currently pregnant, pregnant within the past 6 months, or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months
• Untreated thyroid disease or any changes (type or dose) in thyroid medication in last 6 months
• Hospitalization for depression or other psychiatric disorder within the past 12 months
• History of psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder
• Currently participating in a weight loss, nutrition, or physical activity study or program or other study that would interfere with this study
• Currently using prescription medications with known effects on appetite or weight (e.g., oral steroids, weight loss medications), with the exception of individuals on a stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for 3 months
• Previous surgical procedure for weight loss or planned weight loss surgery in the next 6 months
• Inability to speak and read English
• Do not have iPhone with active data and text messaging plan
• No internet access
• Not willing to be randomized to either intervention arm