Microrandomized Trial to Optimize Use of Burden-reducing Self-monitoring Approaches in Behavioral Obesity Treatment
Who can join
Ages 18 to 70 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
* English language fluent and literate at the 6th grade level * Body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m-squared * Able to walk 2 city blocks without stopping * Not currently participating in another weight loss program * Not currently taking weight loss medication * Has not lost ≥5% of body weight in the 6 months prior to enrolling * Has not been pregnant within the 6 months prior to enrolling * Does not plan to become pregnant within 12 months of enrolling * Denies having a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness in the 12 months prior to enrolling * Denies any medical condition that would affect the safety of participating in unsupervised physical activity * Denies any condition that would result in inability to follow the study protocol, including terminal illness, substance abuse, eating disorder (not including Binge Eating Disorder) and untreated major psychiatric illness * Owns a smartphone compatible with study procedures and is willing to use it for study participation
About the study
This clinical trial is focused on testing dietary self-monitoring strategies used in behavioral obesity treatment. The goal is to determine which self-monitoring strategies are most useful for whom, at which points in treatment, and under what circumstances.
Researchers will provide a 24-week online behavioral obesity treatment program, and will randomize participants to use one of 5 dietary self-monitoring strategies every two weeks. The five strategies include: recording all food and drink consumed and corresponding energy intake (i.e., "calories") on 7 days per week; recording all food and drink consumed and corresponding energy intake (i.e., "calories") on 3 days per week; self-monitoring of dietary lapses (i.e. any eating/drinking likely to cause weight gain or put weight loss at risk); smartwatch-based monitoring of energy intake (i.e., "calories"); and self-monitoring of body weight only via smart scale.
Participants will:
* Follow a 24-week online program for weight loss and health improvement * Use the assigned self-monitoring strategy every two weeks * Meet with the researchers periodically via online video call and provide research data by answering questions via periodic online surveys.
What is being tested
- Online Behavioral Obesity Treatment (behavioral)
- Full Dietary Self-monitoring (behavioral)
- Reduced-frequency Dietary Self-monitoring (behavioral)
- Self-Monitoring of Dietary Lapses Only (behavioral)
- Smartwatch-based Self-monitoring of Energy Intake (behavioral)
- Self-monitoring of Body Weight Only (behavioral)
Sponsor: The Miriam Hospital · Participants: 275 · Started: Jan 7, 2026
Contact the study team
- Jill Eisel Research Project Coordinator · Phone: 401-793-8283
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07228130
Locations in the U.S.
| Rhode Island | The Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center of The Miriam Hospital & Brown University, Providence |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.