2. Materials and Methods
DISEASE, RECRUITMENT
This pilot study used a randomized control trial design. The social cognitive theory (SCT) [Women who met the inclusion criteria from two community health centers in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, were invited to this study and randomized to either the SCOPE or control programs. Inclusion criteria included (1) being biologically female, (2) being at least 18 years old, (3) having a waist circumference greater than 80 cm, (4) owning a smartphone, (5) being able to read Chinese and speak Mandarin, (6) being premenopausal, and (7) having a child between the ages of 1 and 17 years old. Exclusion criteria included (1) being pregnant, (2) giving birth less than 12 months before the enrollment date, or (3) having an acute or life-threatening disease (e.g., renal or heart failure).Trained research assistants worked with the study sites to recruit eligible women. An invitation letter that explains the study’s purpose and WeChat contact information was sent to all women with dependent children. They were asked to message the study’s WeChat within two weeks of receiving the invitation to indicate their interest in participating. Those who were interested were invited to an in-person screening session during health fairs hosted at the recruitment sites. Several in-person screening sessions were offered at each location. During these sessions, eligibility verification, informed consent, administration of a baseline survey, and measurements were obtained. The committee on human research at the University of California San Francisco and Central South University approved the study (IRB 18-27025).The SCOPE intervention consisted of three components: (1) the use of the Fitbit activity tracker, (2) 12-weekly education modules delivered via WeChat, and (3) bi-weekly tailored messages. The 12-week active intervention included the Fitbit tracker and 12 weekly, culturally appropriate, evidence-based educational modules delivered via WeChat, a popular communication app in China. After the 12 weekly modules, the maintenance phase included six bi-weekly tailored tips and messages based on Fitbit data and personal goals sent via WeChat. The control group received general health information without tailoring via WeChat at the same frequency as the SCOPE program. Data on outcomes were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.