Improving digital obesity treatment for rural communities
Official title: Addressing Rural Health Disparities by Optimizing "High Touch" Intervention Components in Digital Obesity Treatment
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11005743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make online weight loss programs better for people living in rural areas, by adding personal support and group sessions, to help them lose weight more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $602,218 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135227-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005743 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are struggling with overweight or obesity and reside in rural communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or obese, or those living in urban areas, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance digital obesity treatment programs for individuals living in rural areas, where access to weight management resources is limited. It focuses on integrating 'high touch' components, such as personalized feedback and online group sessions, into digital interventions to improve weight loss outcomes. By conducting a factorial experiment, the study aims to identify which combination of these components is most effective in helping participants achieve significant weight loss. The goal is to make obesity treatment more accessible and effective for rural populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective digital obesity treatments that significantly improve health outcomes for individuals in rural areas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that incorporating human interaction into digital health interventions can enhance outcomes, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
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
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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.