A smarter self-monitoring feedback system to help adults lose weight in the real world
Official title: A novel, semi-automated self-monitoring feedback system for health promotion in community settings
Funded at Aurora Health Care, INC. · NIH-11417432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A semi-automated feedback system helps adults with overweight or obesity in community settings use self-monitoring of food, activity, and weight to support weight loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aurora Health Care, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $708,552 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140099-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with overweight or obesity who can use a Fitbit and smartphone app.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to use digital monitoring tools or with conditions that preclude weight monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops an automated feedback tool that can be added to community-based weight loss programs. Participants will use daily self-monitoring tools (food intake, activity with a Fitbit, and weight) and receive tailored weekly feedback messages. The study will test different types and amounts of feedback with 300 adults over 16 weeks using a micro-randomized design to find what works best. The intervention is designed to be practical for real-world settings where staff time and training are limited.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could make effective weight loss feedback feasible in community programs, potentially improving outcomes for adults with overweight or obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence shows weekly feedback can improve weight loss, but community settings often lack such feedback; this study tests a scalable, semi-automated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Aurora Health Care, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ross, Kathryn Marie — Aurora Health Care, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ross, Kathryn Marie
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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.