Fitbit and health coaching to improve movement and cardiometabolic health in adults with central obesity
Official title: Effects of Wearable Device Functions and Health Coaching on Device-measured Movement Behaviours and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults With Central Obesity: a Randomised Controlled Trial
Run by The University of Hong Kong · NCT07379970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether giving adults with central obesity a Fitbit alone or with health coaching for one year improves daily movement and cardiometabolic risk factors.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 133 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | February 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07379970 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 40 or older with central obesity (waist ≥90 cm for men or ≥80 cm for women), insufficient physical activity, a smartphone, and the ability to read English or Chinese are appropriate candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People unable to perform daily activities, those already meeting physical activity guidelines, or those enrolled in another lifestyle-change intervention are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a 12-month, open-label, parallel-group randomized trial at the University of Hong Kong enrolling 133 adults with central obesity. Participants are randomized to no intervention, wearable-device functions alone (Fitbit), or wearable-device functions combined with a lifestyle coaching program, with outcomes measured by the device and clinical cardiometabolic tests. Primary outcomes include device-measured movement behaviours and cardiometabolic risk factors, with a 6-month post-intervention follow-up to assess durability. The trial requires smartphone ownership and English or Chinese literacy for participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help adults with central obesity increase physical activity and improve cardiometabolic measures such as waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials show wearables alone tend to produce modest activity gains while combining wearable feedback with structured coaching yields larger improvements, so this trial builds on mixed but promising evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 40 years or older * Central obesity, defined as waist circumference: ≥90 cm for men; ≥80 cm for women * Insufficient physical activity based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines * Physical activity assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - Short Form * Ownership of a smartphone * Able to read and understand English or Chinese Exclusion Criteria: * unable to perform daily-life activities, based on the Physical Activity Readiness-Questionnaire (PAR-Q) (24) and/or participation in another lifestyle-change intervention study.
Where it's running
-
Exercise Physiology Lab, The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Youngwon Kim
- Email: youngwon.kim@hku.hk
- Phone: 852 28315252
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.