Piloting a patient navigator to help adults use proven weight-loss options
Official title: Piloting a patient navigator program to facilitate uptake and persistence with evidence-based weight loss interventions
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11397621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient navigator program will help adults with overweight or obesity start and stick with proven weight-loss options that fit their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $303,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140184-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are overweight or obese and are considering evidence-based weight-loss options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not seeking weight-loss interventions or those not willing to engage with navigated care.
What this research studies
This project tests whether trained navigators can guide adults toward evidence-based weight-loss approaches, such as behavioral, dietary, medical, or surgical options, and help them stay engaged over time. Navigators will identify barriers, explain options, support decision making, and monitor satisfaction with the chosen interventions. They won’t provide the weight-loss treatments themselves but will help people access existing proven resources and maintain ongoing engagement. The study will measure feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signals of whether navigator support improves uptake and persistence with weight-loss programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more adults could start and continue effective weight-loss strategies, improving health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Navigator programs have improved engagement in other areas, but this is a first look at weight-loss navigation in adults.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Butryn, Meghan — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Butryn, Meghan
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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.