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Recruitment is now closed for the mPWR study.

What is mPWR?

mPWR is a research study for men and women who are interested in participating in a behavioral weight loss program. This research compares two weight loss interventions. One intervention is an evidence-based approach that is commonly used in clinical practice. It is being compared with an intervention that begins by testing a variety of approaches to diet and exercise at the beginning of a weight loss program and then being matched with a personalized plan to follow for the rest of the program. Another aim of the study is to learn if certain approaches work better for some people vs. others, and if there are individual factors that predict how a person will respond to the treatments.

Participants must be age 20-65, overweight, and not using medication to manage their weight or blood sugar. The program uses digital tools and personal coaching to support diet and physical activity changes. Read more about the study and find out if you may be eligible to participate.

Why are we doing this study?

Behavioral weight loss programs that recommend diet and physical activity changes have been shown to be effective for weight loss and improvements in health. For example, these evidence-based programs have been shown to lower risk for Type 2 diabetes. While they are effective overall, research has shown that there is a wide range of responses to these treatments (some people lose a lot of weight and some people lose a little or none at all). It may be that an approach that varies diet and exercise recommendations based on a person’s initial response and personal preference may result in better weight loss. While it seems like a more personalized approach would be better, this hasn’t been widely shown in studies so far. Research is needed to identify which factors are important to personalize and whether there are measurable differences in people that can help to personalize the weight loss prescription. Researchers are beginning to explore differences in a variety of factors that may lead to different treatment response including genetics, metabolism, microbiome (gut bacteria), individual preferences, and other variables.

The mPWR study is investigating whether a personalized approach that varies recommendations for diet and physical activity changes based on the individual can result in more successful weight loss. The study is also trying to measure factors that may predict how a person will respond to those personalized recommendations. mPWR uses digital tools to help make or tracking, of diet, physical activity and weight (which are important parts of traditional evidence-based weight loss programs) easier. mPWR is also unique in that it is designed to learn whether daily monitoring of blood sugar helps improve weight loss. Controlling blood sugar is important for weight loss and weight management. Being overweight increases a person’s risk for poor blood sugar control. Studies have shown that even individuals who have not been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can have different responses in blood sugar to certain foods. Some have also shown that blood sugar can respond differently to exercise. Using newer technology called Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) makes self-monitoring of blood sugar easier as it is less invasive (meaning no fingersticks) and provides more information about your blood sugar than standard methods. This research will help us to learn more about whether tracking blood sugar using CGM during weight loss can be helpful, even for those who have not been diagnosed with poor blood sugar control.

Participating in the mPWR research study is a valuable opportunity to receive an evidence-based behavioral weight loss program. It may also help investigators learn more about personalized approaches to weight loss and factors that lead to different responses to diet and physical activity recommendations.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH STUDY

  • The study will last approximately 4 months (12-week program plus measurements before and after the program) and the weight loss program being studied is offered for free.

  • The study is investigating the effectiveness of a pilot program that uses digital tools (iPhone app, digital scale, physical activity tracker, and continuous glucose monitor) in a lifestyle-based approach to weight loss.

  • Participants will be randomized to a BEHAVIORAL WEIGHT LOSS (BWL) program or PERSONALIZED BEHAVIORAL WEIGHT LOSS program (PBWL). The differences between the two groups will be the approach used to recommend diet and physical activity changes.

  • The BWL approach is based on years of research that show that clinically significant weight losses are achievable following a lifestyle-based approach. The PBWL approach will test a variety of diet and physical activity changes in order to match the participant with a personalized plan to follow. The study is designed to explore factors that may be associated with different responses to diet and activity changes.

  • Enrolled participants will complete surveys and physical measurements (including fasting blood samples and stool samples) at the beginning of the study and after the 12- week weight loss program.

  • Participants will meet weekly with a study weight loss coach. These meetings will take place over the phone or on a video call.

  • Participants who complete study measures will be given modest incentives (up to $70 total) and will be able to keep their activity tracker and scale.

Who may be a good fit for this study?

This study may be for you if:

  • You are overweight and interested in losing weight using a program that helps you to make changes in your diet and physical activity.

  • You are willing to use a continuous glucose monitor for 3 months.

  • You are able to attend weekly sessions with a weight loss coach with a phone or video call.

  • You are willing to complete additional study measurement visits.

  • You agree to be assigned to either the BWL or the PBWL study groups.

There are also certain criteria that you must meet to be eligible to participate.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

You may be eligible* if you: 

  • You are 20-65 years old

  • Your Body Mass Index is 25 – 50 kg/m2 (use calculator to the right)

  • You are not regularly participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity

  • You have an iPhone with a data plan

  • You have home Wi-Fi access

  • You are willing to use a Continuous Glucose Monitor for up to 3 months (will be provided to you free of charge)

  • If you are female, you are not pregnant, planning to become pregnant in the next 4 months, or are less than 6 months postpartum.

  • You are willing to attend 2 in-person measurement visits at the center off of I-40 in Chapel Hill, NC and 12 weekly phone or video call sessions with a coach.

  • You do not have any health conditions or history that would make participating in this study unsafe, unreasonable, or inconsistent with the study goals (this will be assessed by completing the screening questionnaire).

  • You are able to obtain consent from your primary care provider to participate if necessary based on questions about your ability to participate in an exercise program.

 *Additional eligibility criteria apply.

CONTACT US

If you would like to learn more about the mPWR study, please contact us at (919) 966-5852 or email weightresearch@unc.edu.

This study has been reviewed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Biomedical IRB, Study# 19-2003.  (If you have specific questions for the Institutional Review Board you may contact them at 919-966-3113 or by email to IRB_questions@unc.edu.)