Wearable sensors to track bites and chewing during meals
Lab and real-world validation of a system for monitoring ingestive behavior
This uses two small wearable sensors to track bites and chewing in adults so eating speed and patterns can be slowed to help manage weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247081 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would wear a discreet wrist device that counts bite-related wrist motions and a small adhesive sensor over the jaw that senses chewing. The team will compare the two devices together during controlled lab meals with a range of foods and beverages and while you go about normal daily life to see how well the combined signals capture eating episodes, bite rate, chew frequency, and chew-to-bite ratio. Devices are designed to be low-burden and unobtrusive so you can eat naturally while data are recorded. Accurate real-world monitoring could make it easier to give people personalized feedback about slowing eating to reduce overeating.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who are interested in managing eating speed or body weight and who can wear small sensors and attend lab visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, those unable to wear adhesive or wrist devices, or people with certain jaw conditions or contraindications to wearing sensors may not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide simple, accurate feedback on eating patterns that helps people reduce overeating and support healthier weight.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier lab and short-term population studies show slowing bites and chews can lower energy intake and each sensor has some prior validation, but combining them and validating accuracy in free-living settings is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Kingston, United States
- University of Rhode Island — Kingston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melanson, Kathleen J — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Melanson, Kathleen J
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.