BRIDGE & Friends Trial
Weight Management and Black American Women: Targeting Social Networks as a Strategy to Improve Outcomes (BRIDGE & Friends)
Who can join
Ages 50 to 79 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 50-79 yrs old, * BMI 30-50 * Willing to participate in all procedures * Understand English * Willing to make changes to diet and lifestyle * Have access to a phone * Plan to reside in the Chicago area for the next 12 months Exclusion Criteria: * Severe ischemic heart disease * Severe pulmonary disease * Bariatric surgery * Cancer treatment within the past 12 months * Current adherence to MedDiet based on dietary screening
About the study
Aim 1. Conduct a 6-month (24-session) RCT comparing MedDiet-WL to MedDiet-SN among 268 older adults with obesity (50-79 years, BMI = 30-50 kg/m²). We hypothesize that 1) Participants in MedDiet-SN will show improvements in bodyweight/BMI and body fat compared to MedDiet-WL at post-intervention (6-months), 2) Participants in MedDiet-SN will show improvements in diet (diet quality) and physical activity (step counts) compared to MedDiet-WL at post-intervention (6-months), and 3) Participants in MedDiet-SN will maintain these improvements at 12-months.
Aim 2. Characterize and compare differences in weight management information dissemination by 268 randomized to MedDiet-WL and MedDiet-SN. We hypothesize that MedDiet-SN participants will share information to more network members compared to participants in MedDiet-WL.
Aim 3. Compare MedDiet-SN and MedDiet-WL in 268 network members. We hypothesize that MedDiet-SN network members will show, greater improvements in BMI, body fat, diet, and physical activity than MedDiet-WL network members at 6 months. We will explore how effects may vary by network (e.g., density, relationships), and messaging characteristics (e.g., modality).
What is being tested
- Social Network Curriculum (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago · Participants: 532 · Started: Feb 1, 2026
Contact the study team
- Lara Blumstein, MA · Phone: +1 77304903311
- Marian Fitzgibbon, PhD · Phone: +1 77304903311
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07798557
Locations in the U.S.
| Illinois | University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.