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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04044794

Daily Self-Weighing for Obesity Management in Primary Care

Many adults with obesity continue to gain weight even though they do not want to. This project will test the effects of a primary care intervention in which people with obesity receive an electronic scale and recommendations to weigh themselves daily. This will help us understand whether daily self-weighing might be a way to prevent continued weight gain.

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight and Obesity Behavior Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

19 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35205, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 19-65 years
  • Body mass index (BMI) 30 - 50 kg/m2
  • Receives care at one of the participating primary care clinics
  • Resides in one location at least 5 days each week
  • Possesses a smartphone with data plan
  • Wi-Fi or Bluetooth internet connection in home

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy or anticipating pregnancy during study duration. This is a weight loss study and weight gain/loss due to pregnancy and/or delivery would confound study results. Additionally, weight loss is not recommended for pregnant women.
  • Unwilling or unable to do any of the following: give informed consent, accept random assignment, attend five measurement assessments
  • Likely to relocate and no longer be seen at UAB primary care in the next 2 years
  • Weight loss ≥5% of body weight in past 6 months (other than postpartum)
  • Weight >180 kg (396lbs) due to the limitation of the scale being used.
  • Current participation in another weight loss study
  • Bariatric surgery or revision in the past two years
  • Prescription weight loss medications within the past 6 months
  • Another household member already participating in the study
  • Potential participants living farther than 50 miles driving distance from UAB will be excluded from the study. It is expected that those living farther away will be more difficult to retain as study participants.

Treatment and study plan

Standard Care

Behavioral

Standard care includes standardized educational materials to promote self-management of body weight along with provision of $60 for participants to purchase supplies or equipment to facilitate weight management.

daily self-weighing

Behavioral

Participants will receive a wireless digital scale and will be asked to keep the scale in their home, weigh daily at the same time, and view their weight trajectory on the scale's digital display.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in body weight from baseline to month 6

    Time frame: 6 months

    Body weight measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated electronic scale

  2. Change in body weight from baseline to month 12

    Time frame: 12 months

    Body weight measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated electronic scale

  3. Change in body weight from baseline to month 18

    Time frame: 18 months

    Body weight measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated electronic scale

  4. Change in body weight from baseline to month 24

    Time frame: 24 months

    Body weight measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated electronic scale

Secondary outcomes

  1. Average number of weight control behaviors endorsed on the Weight Control Practices Survey at month 6

    Time frame: baseline to month 6

    A modified version of the 23-item Weight Control Practices Survey will assess a variety of strategies for weight control, including participation in structured programs and/or self-directed weight control behaviors (e.g., reducing fat intake, maintaining food records, increasing physical activity, frequency of self-weighing). The survey measures presence and duration (in weeks) of each behavior.

  2. Average number of weight control behaviors endorsed on the Weight Control Practices Survey at month 12

    Time frame: month 6 to month 12

    A modified version of the 23-item Weight Control Practices Survey will assess a variety of strategies for weight control, including participation in structured programs and/or self-directed weight control behaviors (e.g., reducing fat intake, maintaining food records, increasing physical activity, frequency of self-weighing). The survey measures presence and duration (in weeks) of each behavior.

  3. Average number of weight control behaviors endorsed on the Weight Control Practices Survey at month 18

    Time frame: month 12 to month 18

    A modified version of the 23-item Weight Control Practices Survey will assess a variety of strategies for weight control, including participation in structured programs and/or self-directed weight control behaviors (e.g., reducing fat intake, maintaining food records, increasing physical activity, frequency of self-weighing). The survey measures presence and duration (in weeks) of each behavior.

  4. Average number of weight control behaviors endorsed on the Weight Control Practices Survey at month 24

    Time frame: month 18 to month 24

    A modified version of the 23-item Weight Control Practices Survey will assess a variety of strategies for weight control, including participation in structured programs and/or self-directed weight control behaviors (e.g., reducing fat intake, maintaining food records, increasing physical activity, frequency of self-weighing). The survey measures presence and duration (in weeks) of each behavior.

Other outcomes

  1. Mean self-efficacy score assessed by the Self-Efficacy for Weight Loss Trials Scale at month 12

    Time frame: month 12

    Self-efficacy (i.e., confidence in one's ability to execute the behaviors required to meet a goal) for healthy eating, physical activity, and weight loss will be assessed with the 12-item Self-Efficacy for Weight Loss Trials Scale

  2. Mean self-efficacy score assessed by the Self-Efficacy for Weight Loss Trials Scale at month 24

    Time frame: month 24

    Self-efficacy (i.e., confidence in one's ability to execute the behaviors required to meet a goal) for healthy eating, physical activity, and weight loss will be assessed with the 12-item Self-Efficacy for Weight Loss Trials Scale

  3. Mean score on the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screening form at month 12

    Time frame: month 12

    The 22-item Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screening will monitor symptoms of eating disorders

  4. Mean score on the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screening form at month 24

    Time frame: month 24

    The 22-item Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screening will monitor symptoms of eating disorders

  5. Mean score on the Body Shape Questionnaire-16A at month 12

    Time frame: month 12

    The 16-item Body Shape Questionnaire-16A will monitor symptoms of body image disturbance

  6. Mean score on the Body Shape Questionnaire-16A at month 24

    Time frame: month 24

    The 16-item Body Shape Questionnaire-16A will monitor symptoms of body image disturbance

  7. Mean score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) at month 12

    Time frame: month 12

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) will monitor depressive symptoms

  8. Mean score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) at month 24

    Time frame: month 24

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) will monitor depressive symptoms

  9. Healthcare utilization at month 12 assessed by the EuroQOL (EQ-5D-5L)

    Time frame: baseline to month 12

    Self-reported use of health care services (hospitalizations, ER/physician office visits, prescription drugs, etc.) and associated costs will be collected using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D-5L)

  10. Healthcare utilization at month 24 assessed by the EuroQOL (EQ-5D-5L)

    Time frame: month 12 to month 24

    Self-reported use of health care services (hospitalizations, ER/physician office visits, prescription drugs, etc.) and associated costs will be collected using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D-5L)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Other

Collaborators

  • Cornell University
  • Indiana University

Registry information

Acronym: SWOP

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 5, 2019
Registry last updated
Mar 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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