Diet Tracking for Weight Loss

Overseen By Study Team

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Must not be taking: Anti-obesity, Steroids, Antipsychotics

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Bariatric surgery, Mental health, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 12 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to compare two approaches for tracking dietary intake in a 12-month fully digital weight loss intervention: (1) Simplified approach: track Red Zone Foods (e.g., foods high in calories and low in nutritional value) vs. (2) Detailed approach: track all foods and their corresponding calories. In essence, this is a head-to-head comparison of two tracking approaches; the investigators are evaluating whether weight loss is comparable over 12 months, or whether one approach will have greater weight loss.

The investigators will recruit 328 adults. Broadly, adults with overweight or obesity who live in the United States will be eligible. The weight loss intervention will last 12 months. All participants will be asked to track their dietary intake + body weight + steps daily as well as complete weekly behavioral lessons and action plans to promote healthy eating and physical activity. All study tasks will occur remotely. Assessment of body weight and survey measures will occur at the beginning of the trial ("baseline"), and at 6, 12, and 18 months.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michele L. Patel, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults in the U.S. who are overweight or have obesity (BMI between 25 and 45), own a smartphone, can use English or Spanish, want to lose weight through behavior changes, and are willing to use an app and be randomly assigned to a group.

Inclusion Criteria

Body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and 45.0 kg/m^2

Smartphone ownership

Willing to install a mobile app on personal smartphone

Exclusion Criteria

Concurrent enrollment in another weight management intervention

Loss of 5% or more body weight in the past 6 months

Living with another person participating in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Assessment of body weight and survey measures at the beginning of the trial

1 week

Remote assessment

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-month digital weight loss intervention, tracking dietary intake, body weight, and steps daily, and completing weekly behavioral lessons and action plans

12 months

Remote monitoring

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for weight change and other outcomes at 6, 12, and 18 months

6 months

Remote assessment at 6, 12, and 18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Core Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention
• Detailed Dietary Self-Monitoring
• Simplified Dietary Self-Monitoring

Trial Overview

The study compares two ways of tracking food intake using a mobile app during a year-long digital weight loss program: one group tracks only high-calorie 'Red Zone' foods, while the other records all foods and calories. Both groups also track their weight, steps, and complete weekly lessons remotely.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Simplified (Track Red Zone Foods) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Simplified + Core

Group II: Detailed (Track All Foods/Calories) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Detailed + Core

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+