Purpose: The translation of an evidence-based lifestyle intervention to an online delivery format has the potential to provide an effective treatment option for obesity in primary care practice. Research is needed, however, to standardize e-counseling procedures to promote the training of health coaches and the dissemination to primary care settings. This article describes the development of an online lifestyle intervention coaching protocol adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention curriculum.
Conclusions: The delivery of patient counseling via the Internet may enable the dissemination of high-quality lifestyle advice to prevent diabetes in patients whose schedules or geographic constraints prohibit their participation in in-person counseling sessions.