Using your clinic's patient portal to support weight loss and lower cancer risk
Managing Obesity by Leveraging Health Information Technology to Lower Cancer Risk
This project uses your clinic's patient portal and other health IT tools to help adults with obesity lose weight and lower their chance of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251203 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a version of the proven Look AHEAD weight-loss program delivered through your electronic health record patient portal, with lessons on diet, physical activity, and behavior change. The team will adapt the program for people from different backgrounds and for those living in rural areas who may have limited access to in-person services. Health IT features will be used for delivering content, tracking progress, and communicating with primary care staff. Participation is routed through clinics affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and may include remote portal-based activities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with overweight or obesity who receive care at participating primary care clinics and can use a patient portal are the best candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, those without overweight/obesity, or individuals who lack access to a patient portal or participating clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier for adults with obesity to lose weight and reduce their risk of obesity-related cancers by using tools they already access through their clinic.
How similar studies have performed: Large trials like Look AHEAD demonstrated durable weight loss and reduced incidence of obesity-related cancers with intensive lifestyle programs, while delivering that program via a patient portal is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Karen C — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Karen C
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.