Using mental strategies to help Veterans manage their weight
Official title: WOOP VA: Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions to Promote Weight Management in Primary Care
Funded at VA Medical Center · NIH-10929436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help Veterans lose weight and get healthier by using a method called Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions, combined with existing programs, to make weight management easier and more effective with support from friendly educators.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003264-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929436 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans struggling with obesity who are seeking support for weight management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Veterans or those who do not have issues with weight management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach called Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) to help Veterans lose weight and improve their health. The program aims to increase motivation and behavior change by combining MCII with existing weight management programs like MOVE! in primary care settings. By focusing on practical strategies and support from lay educators, the research seeks to make weight management more accessible and effective for Veterans. The study will evaluate how well this method works in promoting weight loss and healthier habits among participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective weight management strategies for Veterans, improving their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that MCII can effectively increase motivation and promote weight loss, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach in the Veteran population.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Medical Center
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jay, Melanie — VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Jay, Melanie
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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.