Piloting a Generative Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in a Mobile Weight Loss Program

This study is testing if adding a special chatbot to a 12-week mobile weight loss program helps young adults lose weight. The program, called AGILE, helps you track your food, activity, and weight, and gives you personalized goals and weekly lessons. Some participants will use the AGILE program with an added chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to offer more support. Researchers want to see if the chatbot makes the program more engaging and helps with weight loss. You might be able to join if you are 18-39 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) between 25-45, speak English, and own an iPhone. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design: This is an interventional study with 20 participants. You will be randomly assigned to either the AGILE program or the AGILE program with the chatbot.
What's involved: You will participate in a 12-week mobile weight loss intervention using a smartphone app. You will have assessments at the beginning and end of the 12 weeks.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your engagement with the program and chatbot will be measured for up to 12 weeks.

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

Piloting a Generative Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in a Mobile Weight Loss Program

Active, Not Recruiting

NAAges 18–39InterventionalTreatment

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

~20 participants

Updated 2026-06-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:AGILE InterventionChatbot

At a glance

Recruiting sites

0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Program engagement

Measured over up to 12 weeks

+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Overweight and/or Obesity

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

North Carolina1

Study leadership

Brooke T Nezami, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

body mass index (BMI) of 25-45 kg/m\^2

English-speaking and writing

own an iPhone with a data plan

willing to be randomized to either treatment group

Exclusion

Type 1 diabetes or currently receiving medical treatment for Type 2 diabetes

Other health problems which may influence the ability to walk for physical activity or be associated with unintentional weight change, including tuberculosis, currently receiving cancer treatment, or history of a heart attack or stroke

Report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q; items 1-4), or report any other reason not able to walk for physical activity

Lost 10 or more pounds (and kept it off) in the last 6 months

Currently taking weight loss medications

History of weight loss surgery or planning weight loss surgery in the next 4 months

Report a past diagnosis of, or receiving treatment for, a DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision) eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa)

Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 4 months

Health or psychological diagnoses that preclude participation in a prescribed dietary and exercise program, including history of or diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, hospitalization for a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year, current diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse

Another member of the household is a participant or staff member on this trial

Currently participating in a weight loss, nutrition, or physical activity study or program or other study that would interfere with this study

Not willing to wear a Fitbit every day

Have participated in another study conducted by the UNC Weight Research Program within the past 12 months

What this trial measures

Program engagementup to 12 weeks
Program engagement is defined as the mean percent of days in which participants accessed the AGILE app.
Chatbot engagementup to 12 weeks
Chatbot engagement is defined as the mean percent of days in which participants started a conversation with the chatbot.

Trialytics