Durham

Researchers are investigating weight management experiences worldwide through the International Weight Control Registry IWCR. This observational study aims to better understand the challenges and opportunities related to obesity by collecting information from adults with various experiences in weight loss, weight maintenance, weight gain, or difficulty losing weight. Participants share their personal experiences with weight management, focusing on a wide range of situations from ongoing weight loss efforts to previous attempts, both successful and unsuccessful. There is no specific treatment or intervention, as the study collects data through surveys and observation. Participants will provide information through online surveys about their weight management history and related factors. The primary outcome measured is the percent change in weight over a five-year period. The study is conducted under the oversight of Tufts University and involves voluntary participation from individuals 18 years and older. Data collected will help researchers understand real-life weight control experiences over time.

This research aims to understand changes in insulin resistance and the bodys ability to use fat and carbohydrates when healthy young men and women shift to an obesogenic lifestyle. The study focuses on whether adding excess carbohydrates while becoming less active affects insulin resistance, glucose control, and the bodys fat-burning ability. It also evaluates if increased physical activity can reduce these effects in recreationally active young adults aged 18 to 30. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for 10 days a low physical activity group consuming added sugar-sweetened beverages, a low physical activity group without added sugars, a high physical activity group with added sugars, or a control group maintaining normal activity and exercise. The study uses behavioral interventions to test how changes in activity levels and carbohydrate intake impact metabolic health. During the study, participants will undergo assessments to measure insulin resistance, 24-hour glucose regulation, and fat oxidation. Researchers will monitor physical activity using step counts and track dietary intake. The primary outcomes will be evaluated after the 10-day intervention to determine how these lifestyle changes influence metabolic function. The study includes healthy recreationally active adults and involves no blinding.

Researchers are evaluating a new mobile app called uSafeUS designed to reduce college students drinking and sexual assault risk in real time. This pilot study compares the uSafeUS app, which integrates alcohol harm reduction tools, with the existing uSafeUS app that focuses only on sexual assault prevention, and an assessment-only control group. The study aims to assess the apps acceptability, feasibility, and initial effectiveness among college students aged 18 to 25. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups those using the uSafeUS app with alcohol content, those using the current uSafeUS app without alcohol content, or a control group receiving assessment only. After an initial baseline assessment and app training for the two app groups, participants will have a 1-month period using their assigned app or no app with daily surveys on weekends. Follow-up surveys will be conducted at 1 and 2 months post-intervention to assess outcomes. During the study, participants complete baseline and follow-up surveys about drinking behaviors, app use, and sexual assault risk. Researchers will collect data on app usage, compliance with daily surveys, and participants acceptability of the app features. The study measures include enrollment and retention rates, daily compliance, app usage and acceptability at 1-month, and sustained use and acceptability at 2-month follow-up. The total participation lasts approximately two months.