Actively Recruiting
A Displacement Theory Mobile Health Weight Loss Intervention: A Pilot Clinical Trial
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2025-12-22
38
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
30 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
C
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the United States, linked to harmful health outcomes as youth become adults. Researchers are studying an app-based weight loss program for adolescents aged 14 to 21 with obesity, based on displacement theory which explains addictive behaviors as responses to stressful situations. The study aims to develop and test this smartphone app to help reduce overeating and related addictive behaviors, with input from medical and psychological experts and feedback from adolescents. The study has two parts: a beta testing stage with eight teens using the app for three weeks to provide feedback for improvements, and a trial stage with 30 adolescents participating in a four-month intervention. During the trial, participants will use the app daily, focusing on identifying stressful situations and creating action plans to manage them. The app's design will be refined to increase engagement, satisfaction, and usability. Participants will take part in assessments before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. These include measuring weight, BMI, diet, snacking, addictive behaviors related to food and substances, motivation for change, stress levels, and distress tolerance. Researchers will monitor app use, support needs, and satisfaction. The study aims to understand how engagement with the app relates to clinical outcomes and to identify barriers and facilitators for future use. Total participation lasts about four months with follow-up evaluations.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
BrainWeighve App Feasibility Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 14 to 21 years old
- Has an iPhone or willing to use a study-provided iPhone
- Able to read and speak English
- Motivation for change shown by intent to lose or maintain weight within the past year
- Body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile for age and gender
You will not qualify if you...
- Any psychiatric or developmental condition requiring immediate or ongoing treatment that would interfere with participation
- Parent or guardian is unable or refuses to provide consent for minors
- Diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome, brain tumor, hypothalamic obesity, or similar conditions linked to obesity
- Currently participating in another weight loss program
- Previous participation in the study team's app weight loss trials (excludes only trial stage)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 months
Participants use the BrainWeighve smartphone app for weight loss based on displacement theory, focusing on reducing over-eating behaviors through daily app engagement and implementation of personalized action plans.
Daily app use with 2 in-person assessment visits (baseline and post-intervention) and 1 follow-up visit (in-person or virtual)
Duration - 1 month
Participants complete a one-month post-intervention follow-up to assess sustained app engagement, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes related to weight and behavior changes.
1 visit (in-person or virtual)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCLA Marion Davies Children's Center
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90025
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Ashley Huynh
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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