Patient navigators to help adults start and stick with proven weight-loss programs
Piloting a patient navigator program to facilitate uptake and persistence with evidence-based weight loss interventions
['FUNDING_R01'] · DREXEL UNIVERSITY · NIH-11161489
This project will try using patient navigators to help adults with overweight or obesity find and stay with proven weight-loss options.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DREXEL UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11161489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would meet a weight-loss navigator who asks about your barriers and preferences, explains proven options like behavioral programs, medications, commercial programs, or surgery, and helps you pick a good fit. The navigator will not provide the weight-loss treatment themselves but will connect you with existing services and support your decisions. They will maintain long-term contact to monitor how you're doing and help with adherence and acceptability. The study will compare how many people begin and continue evidence-based treatments when supported by a navigator versus usual care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with overweight or obesity who want help losing weight and are willing to work with a navigator to access programs would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not interested in changing their weight-related behaviors, who already have effective weight-loss care in place, or who cannot access the referred services may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help more adults access and continue effective weight-loss care, improving health and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Patient navigator programs have improved engagement in other areas of healthcare, but using navigators specifically to boost uptake and long-term adherence to weight-loss treatments is new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- DREXEL UNIVERSITY — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BUTRYN, MEGHAN — DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: BUTRYN, MEGHAN
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.