Better digital weight-loss support for adults living in rural areas
Addressing Rural Health Disparities by Optimizing "High Touch" Intervention Components in Digital Obesity Treatment
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · NIH-11251280
Comparing different types of human support added to online weight-loss programs to help adults with overweight or obesity in rural communities lose weight.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11251280 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you live in a rural area and want help losing weight, this project compares different ways that real people can support you inside an online weight-loss program. Researchers will run a digital lifestyle program and turn on or off three types of human-delivered 'high touch' support (for example personalized feedback, coaching messages, or online group sessions) in a factorial design to see which combinations work best. You would use the online program from home and receive the specific support components you are assigned. The study aims to identify a cost-effective mix of human contact that produces meaningful weight loss for rural participants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21 years and older) living in rural communities with overweight or obesity who can use internet-connected devices and want structured weight-loss support.
Not a fit: People who cannot or will not use digital tools, need immediate medical or surgical weight-loss care, or live outside the study's recruitment area may not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could make online weight-loss programs more effective for rural adults, leading to greater weight loss and fewer obesity-related health problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that adding human elements like personalized feedback or online groups can boost weight loss compared with fully automated programs, but the optimal combination of components remains untested.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA — COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WEST, DELIA SMITH — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- Study coordinator: WEST, DELIA SMITH
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.