Developing an Adaptive Lifestyle Intervention Program in Family Medicine Clinics

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of conducting a multicomponent lifestyle intervention research study within the UAB Family Medicine Clinic at Highlands and to obtain preliminary data on the effectiveness of the adaptive treatment strategies being investigated to produce improvements in insulin resistance. This study is a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) with initial randomization groups of individualized nutrition counseling vs. individualized exercise counseling. Note that these initial nutrition or exercise interventions are NOT intended to produce significant weight loss. Participants that do not sufficiently improve their insulin resistance score after 8 weeks will be re-randomized to 2nd stage interventions of either receiving dietary counseling for weight loss or receiving a prescription for metformin. We will collect data on the effectiveness of the intervention to improve insulin resistance/metabolic health in the family medicine clinic as well as potential predictors or moderators of treatment success.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female * Any race or ethnicity * BMI \>27 kg/m2 * Presence of 1 or more mild-to-moderate obesity-associated metabolic complications (i.e., Stage 1 Obesity) * Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes (see exclusion criteria for additional details), metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease * Stable medication type and dosage for ≥3 months Exclusion Criteria: * If type 2 diabetes, * Currently prescribed metformin or prescribed within previous 3 months * HbA1c concentration of \>12% * Using exogenous insulin * Pregnant or lactating within the past 6 months or trying to become pregnant * Prescription for weight loss medications within the past 3 months * Severe obesity-related complications that require immediate and more intensive clinical therapy (e.g., pharmacotherapy and/or bariatric surgery) as determined by study physician and/or referring practitioner at UAB Family Medicine Clinic. * History of kidney disease that may increase the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin. * Currently prescribed the following medications that may increase the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin: acetazolamide (Diamox), dichlorphenamide (Keveyis), methazolamide, topiramate (Topamax, in Qsymia), or zonisamide (Zonegran). * Does not have a life-sustaining medical implant such as a pacemaker.