Partner up to slim down: study tests weight loss with a buddy

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Patient inclusion criteria * aged 18 years or older * BMI \>= 30 kg/m2 * at least one visit with a VA primary care provider within the past year * weight \<=420 lb due to study scale limits * have been cohabitating and have daily contact over the past 6 months with an adult who can provide support (e.g., spouse/domestic partner, sibling, adult child, friend, family member) for the next 18 months * desire to lose weight * able to stand for weight measurements without assistance * \< 2 errors on a validated 6-item cognitive screener * ability to speak English * agrees to attend visits per protocol * individual email-address * access to hardware and internet connection to enable participation with approved virtual platform Partner inclusion criteria * aged 18 years or older * willing to participate * \< 2 errors on a validated 6-item cognitive screener * ability to speak English * individual email address Exclusion Criteria: Patient exclusion criteria * active dementia or substance abuse * history of bariatric surgery or planning to have bariatric surgery in the next 18 months * pregnancy or planning to become pregnant in the next 18 months, or breastfeeding * weight loss \>= 10 lb in the month prior to screening * living in a facility such as a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or assisted living facility * unable to control what food is purchased and / or served * impaired hearing * current use of weight loss medications * chronic or unstable illness that would limit ability to participate (e.g., recent hospitalization) * participation in VA MOVE! weight management program in the past 6 months * current participation in a research or clinical program focusing on lifestyle change * vomits once or more per week Partner exclusion criteria * BMI \< 18.5 kg/m2 * active dementia or substance abuse * impaired hearing * chronic or unstable illness that would impair their ability to provide support * living in a facility such as a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or assisted living facility