Improving health for adults with higher body weight without focusing on weight loss

Optimizing a Weight Neutral Intervention to Improve Health Among Adults of Higher Body Weight: A MOST Preparation Phase Study

NIH-funded research Miriam Hospital · NIH-11138902

This study is looking for adults with higher body weight who want to improve their health by enjoying better eating habits and fun physical activities, without focusing on losing weight.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMiriam Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11138902 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a weight neutral intervention aimed at improving health outcomes for adults with higher body weight. Instead of focusing on weight loss, the program emphasizes enhancing dietary quality and increasing physical activity enjoyment. It employs a Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to identify effective components of the intervention that promote adherence to healthier behaviors over time. Participants will engage in activities that foster body appreciation and combat weight-related stigma, ultimately aiming to reduce cardiometabolic risks.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are classified as having higher body weight and are interested in improving their health.

Not a fit: Patients who are seeking immediate weight loss solutions or those with severe obesity-related health conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a sustainable approach to improving health for individuals with higher body weight without the pressure of weight loss.

How similar studies have performed: While weight neutral approaches are gaining attention, this specific application of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Providence, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.