A mobile app to help teens manage eating habits and prevent weight gain
Designing a mobile intervention for dysregulated eating and weight gain prevention in adolescents
This project is creating a new mobile app to help teenagers who struggle with overeating and weight gain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121832 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many teenagers face challenges with overweight and obesity, and some experience 'loss of control' eating or overeating, which can make weight management difficult. While traditional therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help, they are often expensive, time-consuming, and not easily available to all teens. This project aims to develop a user-friendly smartphone app that builds on CBT principles, specifically designed to fit the unique needs and preferences of adolescents. The goal is to create a tool that teens can use easily to improve their eating behaviors and support healthy weight.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents between 12 and 20 years old who are overweight or obese and experience dysregulated eating behaviors like loss of control eating or overeating.
Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescents, do not experience overweight or obesity, or do not have dysregulated eating behaviors may not receive direct benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this mobile app could offer an accessible and effective way for adolescents to manage dysregulated eating and prevent further weight gain, potentially reducing the risk of conditions like adult-onset diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous digital interventions using similar cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches have shown promising effects on eating and weight in adolescents, but this project aims to improve their design and delivery for better engagement and outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldschmidt, Andrea Beth — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Goldschmidt, Andrea Beth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.