Becoming United in Lifestyle Decisions (BUILD)

June 5, 2026 updated by: Amy Gorin, University of Connecticut

Optimizing a Couples-Based mHealth Intervention for Weight Management

The goal of this project is to investigate how to enhance the effects of an online-only (mHealth) couples weight loss program. This study will use an innovative methodological framework, the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), to test four different strategies for weight loss and partner support in addition to a core intervention (i.e., dyadic action planning, joint feedback on goal progress, autonomy support training, and home environment modifications).

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
762

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Connecticut
      • Hartford, Connecticut, United States, 06103
        • UConn's Weight Management Research Group

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Married/cohabitating couple - both partners must be eligible
  • BMI between 25-55kg/m2
  • English speaking/reading
  • Have a smartphone and reliable internet access
  • Have active email address
  • Willing to videoconference

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Report being unable to walk 2 blocks without stopping
  • Are currently participating in weight loss treatment, have a history of bariatric surgery, or lost ≥5% in the past 6-months
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the study period
  • Report chest pain or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
  • Report a medical condition that could jeopardize their safety in a weight control program with diet and exercise guidelines
  • Report conditions that, in the judgment of the PI, would render them unlikely to follow the protocol (e.g. dementia)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Condition 1
1) Core BWL Intervention
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Experimental: Condition 2
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Experimental: Condition 3
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Autonomy Support Training
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Experimental: Condition 4
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Autonomy Support Training; 3) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Experimental: Condition 5
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Joint Feedback
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Experimental: Condition 6
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Joint Feedback; 3) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Experimental: Condition 7
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Joint Feedback; 3) Autonomy Support Training
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Experimental: Condition 8
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Joint Feedback; 3) Autonomy Support Training; 4) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Experimental: Condition 9
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 10
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 11
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Autonomy Support Training
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 12
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Autonomy Support Training 4) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 13
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Joint Feedback
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 14
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Joint Feedback; 4) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 15
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Joint Feedback; 4) Autonomy Support Training
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.
Experimental: Condition 16
1) Core BWL Intervention; 2) Dyadic Action Planning; 3) Joint Feedback; 4) Autonomy Support Training; 5) Home Environment Modifications
Behavioral: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) intervention
Behavioral weight loss core (lessons, self weighing, self-monitoring, individual action planning, feedback and progress check ins)
Behavioral: Home Environment Modifications
Participants will be trained in how to structure their home environment to support health behavior.
Behavioral: Autonomy Support Training
Participants will receive training in how to create an autonomy supportive environment within their marriage/partnership.
Behavioral: Joint Feedback
Participants will see data on their partner's progress, in addition to their own weight and behavioral data.
Behavioral: Dyadic Action Planning
Participants will develop dyadic action plans together.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Body Weight (kg)
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
Weight change from baseline to 6 months. Weight will be objectively measured on a digital scale in the participant's home and weight change will be calculated.
Baseline to 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Goal Coordination (Wingrove Goal Coordination Scale)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Goal coordination (the extent to which partners integrate and align their weight management goals) will be measured with the Wingrove Goal Coordination Scale at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Transactive Density
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Interdependence of partners will be measured with the Inclusion of Others in the Self Scale at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Shared Goal Representation
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
The Important Others Questionnaire will be used to capture shared goal representation at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Home Food Environment (Household Food Inventory)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
The home food environment will be measured with the Household Food Inventory, administered at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Home Exercise Environment (Exercise Environment Questionnaire)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
The home exercise environment will be measured with the Exercise Environment Questionnaire, administered at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Dietary Intake
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Dietary intake will be assessed at baseline and 3 months as a hypothesized behavioral mediator and at 6 months as a secondary outcome measure.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Physical Activity (Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Physical activity will be assessed using the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and 3 months as a hypothesized behavioral mediator and at 6 months as a secondary outcome measure.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Connecticut

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 13, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 22, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 21, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 3, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 5, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HR22-0023
  • 1R01DK132386-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings