Weight loss program for individuals with serious mental illness
CoachToFit: Adapted Weight Loss Intervention for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
This study is testing a friendly weight loss program called CoachToFit, made especially for people with serious mental illness who are dealing with obesity, using a smartphone app and support from someone who understands their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142302 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a weight management program called CoachToFit, specifically designed for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who are struggling with obesity. The program utilizes a smartphone app to deliver evidence-based weight loss services and includes weekly support from a peer specialist who has personal experience with SMI. By adapting the intervention to meet the unique cognitive needs and preferences of this population, the program aims to improve accessibility and effectiveness of weight loss strategies. The approach has shown promising results in a small sample, indicating potential for broader application.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness who are also struggling with obesity.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have serious mental illness or who are not overweight may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective weight loss solutions tailored for individuals with serious mental illness, improving their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar adapted interventions for weight management in specific populations, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chinman, Matthew — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Chinman, Matthew
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.