Strategies to reduce weight stigma and support diabetes care for adults with type 2 diabetes
Official title: Strategies to Improve Well-Being and Diabetes Management
Funded at Mainehealth · NIH-11399876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program explores how reducing weight stigma and using self-affirmation can help adults with type 2 diabetes adopt healthier habits and better manage blood glucose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mainehealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $295,417 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121301-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with type 2 diabetes who are willing to engage in behavior-change interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to supporting resources or those unlikely to participate in behavior-change programs may see limited benefits.
What this research studies
This program focuses on adults with type 2 diabetes who are dealing with weight and behavioral challenges. It builds on psychology-based self-affirmation techniques to promote healthier choices, like better nutrition and consistent blood glucose management, without relying on fear or stigma. The approach may involve education, supportive counseling, and practical strategies to sustain positive lifestyle changes. The goal is to improve overall well-being and diabetes control in a real-world setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, people with type 2 diabetes may experience less stigma, better adherence to healthy behaviors, and improved blood glucose control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows self-affirmation can support health behavior changes in various conditions, suggesting potential applicability to diabetes care.
Where this research is happening
-
Mainehealth
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scharnetzki, Elizabeth — Mainehealth
- Study coordinator: Scharnetzki, Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving well-being and diabetes care for adults with type 2 diabetes
This project helps adults with type 2 diabetes use self-affirmation to reduce stigma and support better wellbeing and diabetes self-care.
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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.