Stepped care digital program to keep weight off after loss
Official title: Stepped Care for Weight Loss Maintenance
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11374489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins team is testing a digital, stepped-care approach to help people keep at least 5% of their weight off after an initial loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $419,313 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020197-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity who have already achieved a weight loss of more than 5% after 16 weeks.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who have not yet started losing weight or who cannot use digital health tools may receive little to no benefit.
What this research studies
After an initial 16-week weight loss phase, adults with obesity will be followed for a year to see if a digital, stepped-care maintenance program helps prevent weight regain. Participants are randomized to daily self-monitoring with digital tools, monthly maintenance education, or access to a personalized text-message supported program that adjusts the level of support over time. The study uses remote monitoring of weight, activity, and diet, with automated reminders to support adherence. The goal is to develop a patient-centered maintenance strategy that is easy to use in real life and reduces relapse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help people maintain meaningful weight loss with less in-person counseling.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests remote, tailored support can aid weight maintenance, but this stepped-care approach in a digital format is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chao, Ariana Marie — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Chao, Ariana Marie
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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.