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Examining Feedback Messages for Weight Loss

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 25.0 kg/m2 or higher who weigh 175 kg or less and own a compatible smartphone. The goal is to understand the best way to give weekly feedback during a weight loss program. You'll attend a session to learn about weight loss and how to track your diet, activity, and weight. Each week, you'll receive feedback that is either focused on positive reinforcement or a combination of positive reinforcement and suggestions for improvement. The study will measure your weight change over 7 days to see which type of feedback is most helpful. This study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This study is an interventional trial with a planned enrollment of 127 participants. Participants will be randomized each week to receive one of two types of feedback messages.
What's involved
You will attend a "Weight Loss 101" session and use study-provided tools to track your dietary intake, physical activity, and weight. You will receive weekly feedback messages, and your weight will be measured at 7 days.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your weight change will be measured at 7 days.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07292389

Examining Valence-based Effects in Self-Monitoring Feedback Messages

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Virginia
~127 participants
Updated 2026-03-31 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Positive ReinforcementPositive Reinforcement + Areas for Change

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Weight change
Measured over 7 days

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight
Obesity (Disorder)

Explore related trials

ObesityOverweight

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Virginia1

Study leadership

  • Becca Krukowski, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Virginia

Who to contact

Maddie Glover, B.S.
[email protected]
4342432387
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age greater than or equal to 18 years
BMI greater than or equal to 25.0 kg/m2
Weight less than or equal to 175 kg (due to scale limit)
Own a smartphone compatible with Fitbit (e.g., an Apple iPhone running iOS 16.4 or higher or Android smartphone running Android 11 or higher) with a cellular and data plan

Exclusion

Weight greater than 175 kg (due to a weight limit of the study-provided scale)
Smartphone device owned deemed incompatible with the Fitbit App
History of bariatric surgery or plans to obtain bariatric surgery during the study period
Current use of weight loss medications, or use of weight loss medications in the 6 months prior to initial pre-screening
Currently participating in a weight-loss program
Weight loss of greater than or equal to 10 lbs in the 6 months prior to initial pre-screening
Physical limitations that prevent walking at a brisk pace for at least 10 minutes without stopping
Use of a pacemaker or other implanted medical device
Currently pregnant
Currently breastfeeding
Less than 1-year post-partum
Plans to become pregnant within the study period
Lack of written confirmation that the potential participant has discussed study participation with their physician if they have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or has have a history of coronary heart disease
One or more study participants living in the household (enrollment limited to one participant per household)
Medical conditions that contraindicate weight loss or prevent completion of the study (e.g., current diagnosis of cancer or terminal illness, dementia, etc.)
Recent (in the past 6 months) changes in medications that affect weight
Self-reported eating disorder within past 5 years
Unable to complete the 17-week study (due to plans to relocate during the study period, etc.)
Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
Unable to read English at the 5th grade level
Unwilling to accept random assignment
Unable or unwilling to download the study smartphone application, wear the physical activity monitor, or use the study e-scale
Failure to complete baseline assessment measures
Failure to complete at least 4 out of 6 days of self-monitoring dietary and weight self-monitoring during the behavioral run-in period
Any other condition(s) which, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, would adversely affect participation in the study

What this trial measures

  • Weight change7 days

    Mixed-effects models will be used to investigate the impact of each feedback condition on our primary outcome of weight change. Fitted model estimates will be used to calculate the slope of weight change from day 1 (the day a feedback message is delivered) through day 7 of each week. Positive slopes indicate weight gain, while negative slopes indicate weight loss.