Pilot Test of Five Weight Neutral Interventions to Improve Health Among Adults of Higher Body Weight (NEW PATH)

January 22, 2026 updated by: The Miriam Hospital

Optimizing a Weight Neutral Intervention to Improve Health Among Adults of Higher Body Weight: A MOST Preparation Phase Study

The purpose of this research study is to pilot test five different, group based and remotely delivered programs designed to support healthy eating and regular physical activity. Each group will contain information and support for healthy eating and physical activity. Groups may also include support to 1) eat with more awareness of hunger and fullness, 2) improve how people think and feel about their bodies, and/or 3) identify ways to be physically active that are more enjoyable. Each group will include a unique combination of these components and the goal is to assess overall satisfaction and engagement with each of the programs.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
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.

Detailed Description

The goal of study is to conduct a Multiphase Optimization STrategy (MOST) Preparation phase study to combine and pilot test candidate components for a group-based, remotely delivered weight neutral/healthy lifestyle intervention. Potential treatment components will include the following existing, evidence-based interventions; (1) mindfulness-based eating awareness training , (2) body acceptance program , and (3) a tailored intervention to promote enjoyment of physical activity. Weight neutral components will complement a Core intervention of standardized education on healthy diet (emphasizing the Mediterranean diet) and Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (i.e., aerobic activity, muscle strengthening). This phase of the science is focused on pilot testing to ensure the target sample can be recruited and and that the novel combinations of treatment components can be delivered as intended. To make strategic use of resources, a fractional factorial design will be used to pilot test five conditions: the Core intervention alone and all possible combinations of the Core intervention + two or more of the weight neutral components. Men and women (n=50) with BMI≥25kg/m2 will be recruited and randomized in small groups (n=10) to receive one of the five conditions held online (each 12 weeks in duration).

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 (Estimated)

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.
50

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
    • Rhode Island
      • Providence, Rhode Island, United States, 02903
        • Recruiting
        • Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center
        • Contact:

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18 years and older
  • BMI between 25-40 (if BMI is between 25-30 then additional cardiometabolic risk factor must be present including hypertension, high cholesterol, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • current participation in a formal weight loss program
  • current use of weight loss medication
  • history of bariatric surgery
  • physical condition that would limit the ability to engage in moderate intensity physical activity
  • current pregnancy
  • recent weight loss of 5% body weight
  • condition that may interfere with ability to complete the study procedures

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: Prevention
  • 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: Core Component
Participants in the Core component condition will receive guidance and support for healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Behavioral: Mediterranean eating style
The Mediterranean eating style is characterized by high intake of minimally processed, plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts), high intake of olive oil, moderate intake of dairy, low intake of red meat, and wine in moderation. This dietary pattern emphasizes inclusion of health promoting foods rather than focusing on restricting types and quantities of food, weight change is not a goal of this approach, and it is flexible rather than rule based to accommodate tastes/preferences. Daily self monitoring is a key strategy to support adherence to this eating style
Behavioral: Physical activity
Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) which provide a evidence-based summary of key recommendations for adults in the United States to achieve the robust health benefits accessible through regular physical activity. Recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week, muscle strengthening activities 2 times per week, and reducing daily sedentary time. Participants will receive psychoeducation and explore examples of activities that will help achieve the goal. Strategies for monitoring exercise will be reviewed.
Experimental: Core Component+Mindful eating+Enjoyable exercise
Participants in this condition will receive guidance and support for healthy eating and regular physical activity. They will also receive support to eat with more awareness of hunger and fullness signals and to explore/identify ways to enjoy physical activity.
Behavioral: Mediterranean eating style
The Mediterranean eating style is characterized by high intake of minimally processed, plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts), high intake of olive oil, moderate intake of dairy, low intake of red meat, and wine in moderation. This dietary pattern emphasizes inclusion of health promoting foods rather than focusing on restricting types and quantities of food, weight change is not a goal of this approach, and it is flexible rather than rule based to accommodate tastes/preferences. Daily self monitoring is a key strategy to support adherence to this eating style
Behavioral: Physical activity
Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) which provide a evidence-based summary of key recommendations for adults in the United States to achieve the robust health benefits accessible through regular physical activity. Recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week, muscle strengthening activities 2 times per week, and reducing daily sedentary time. Participants will receive psychoeducation and explore examples of activities that will help achieve the goal. Strategies for monitoring exercise will be reviewed.
Behavioral: Mindful Eating
Based on Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) which is a multi-session, group-based intervention designed to increase awareness of both internal and external cues to eat and to facilitate the capacity to regulate eating behaviors and food intake in response to these cues. These skills are developed through experiential activities that are completed in the group setting during each meeting including regular mindfulness practice and mindfulness activities specifically applied to the experience of eating. Participants are also given mindfulness activities to practice between group meetings.
Behavioral: Enjoyable Exercise
Participants will be provided with a brief overview and rationale for the importance of finding enjoyable ways to be physically active. Participants will experiment with different, evidence-based strategies to boost affect during exercise to build an activity routine that is enjoyable.
Experimental: All component condition
Participants in this condition will receive guidance and support for healthy eating and regular physical activity. They will also receive support to eat with more awareness of hunger and fullness signals, strategies to improve how they think and feel about their bodies, and to explore/identify ways to enjoy physical activity.
Behavioral: Mediterranean eating style
The Mediterranean eating style is characterized by high intake of minimally processed, plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts), high intake of olive oil, moderate intake of dairy, low intake of red meat, and wine in moderation. This dietary pattern emphasizes inclusion of health promoting foods rather than focusing on restricting types and quantities of food, weight change is not a goal of this approach, and it is flexible rather than rule based to accommodate tastes/preferences. Daily self monitoring is a key strategy to support adherence to this eating style
Behavioral: Physical activity
Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) which provide a evidence-based summary of key recommendations for adults in the United States to achieve the robust health benefits accessible through regular physical activity. Recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week, muscle strengthening activities 2 times per week, and reducing daily sedentary time. Participants will receive psychoeducation and explore examples of activities that will help achieve the goal. Strategies for monitoring exercise will be reviewed.
Behavioral: Mindful Eating
Based on Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) which is a multi-session, group-based intervention designed to increase awareness of both internal and external cues to eat and to facilitate the capacity to regulate eating behaviors and food intake in response to these cues. These skills are developed through experiential activities that are completed in the group setting during each meeting including regular mindfulness practice and mindfulness activities specifically applied to the experience of eating. Participants are also given mindfulness activities to practice between group meetings.
Behavioral: Enjoyable Exercise
Participants will be provided with a brief overview and rationale for the importance of finding enjoyable ways to be physically active. Participants will experiment with different, evidence-based strategies to boost affect during exercise to build an activity routine that is enjoyable.
Behavioral: Body Appreciation
An adapted version of the Body Project, a dissonance-based body appreciation program designed to increase awareness of and actively challenge sociocultural factors that promote negative body image and can disrupt healthy eating and exercise. Participants engage in group discussion and experiential activities to practice resisting sources of pressure to conform to unhealthy body standards. Between-session activities help participants translate knowledge and skills to their daily lives.
Experimental: Core Component+Mindful eating+Body Appreciation
Participants in this condition will receive guidance and support for healthy eating and regular physical activity. They will also receive support to eat with more awareness of hunger and fullness signals and strategies to improve how they think and feel about their bodies.
Behavioral: Mediterranean eating style
The Mediterranean eating style is characterized by high intake of minimally processed, plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts), high intake of olive oil, moderate intake of dairy, low intake of red meat, and wine in moderation. This dietary pattern emphasizes inclusion of health promoting foods rather than focusing on restricting types and quantities of food, weight change is not a goal of this approach, and it is flexible rather than rule based to accommodate tastes/preferences. Daily self monitoring is a key strategy to support adherence to this eating style
Behavioral: Physical activity
Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) which provide a evidence-based summary of key recommendations for adults in the United States to achieve the robust health benefits accessible through regular physical activity. Recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week, muscle strengthening activities 2 times per week, and reducing daily sedentary time. Participants will receive psychoeducation and explore examples of activities that will help achieve the goal. Strategies for monitoring exercise will be reviewed.
Behavioral: Mindful Eating
Based on Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) which is a multi-session, group-based intervention designed to increase awareness of both internal and external cues to eat and to facilitate the capacity to regulate eating behaviors and food intake in response to these cues. These skills are developed through experiential activities that are completed in the group setting during each meeting including regular mindfulness practice and mindfulness activities specifically applied to the experience of eating. Participants are also given mindfulness activities to practice between group meetings.
Behavioral: Body Appreciation
An adapted version of the Body Project, a dissonance-based body appreciation program designed to increase awareness of and actively challenge sociocultural factors that promote negative body image and can disrupt healthy eating and exercise. Participants engage in group discussion and experiential activities to practice resisting sources of pressure to conform to unhealthy body standards. Between-session activities help participants translate knowledge and skills to their daily lives.
Experimental: Core component+body appreciation+enjoyment of exercise
Participants in this condition will receive guidance and support for healthy eating and regular physical activity. They will also receive strategies to improve how they think and feel about their bodies, and to explore/identify ways to enjoy physical activity.
Behavioral: Mediterranean eating style
The Mediterranean eating style is characterized by high intake of minimally processed, plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts), high intake of olive oil, moderate intake of dairy, low intake of red meat, and wine in moderation. This dietary pattern emphasizes inclusion of health promoting foods rather than focusing on restricting types and quantities of food, weight change is not a goal of this approach, and it is flexible rather than rule based to accommodate tastes/preferences. Daily self monitoring is a key strategy to support adherence to this eating style
Behavioral: Physical activity
Based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) which provide a evidence-based summary of key recommendations for adults in the United States to achieve the robust health benefits accessible through regular physical activity. Recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week, muscle strengthening activities 2 times per week, and reducing daily sedentary time. Participants will receive psychoeducation and explore examples of activities that will help achieve the goal. Strategies for monitoring exercise will be reviewed.
Behavioral: Enjoyable Exercise
Participants will be provided with a brief overview and rationale for the importance of finding enjoyable ways to be physically active. Participants will experiment with different, evidence-based strategies to boost affect during exercise to build an activity routine that is enjoyable.
Behavioral: Body Appreciation
An adapted version of the Body Project, a dissonance-based body appreciation program designed to increase awareness of and actively challenge sociocultural factors that promote negative body image and can disrupt healthy eating and exercise. Participants engage in group discussion and experiential activities to practice resisting sources of pressure to conform to unhealthy body standards. Between-session activities help participants translate knowledge and skills to their daily lives.

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
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
Time Frame: End of treatment, 12 weeks
This 8-item self-report measure captures perceived quality and usefulness and overall satisfaction with treatment. Scores range from 8-32 with higher scores reflecting a more positive view of treatment.
End of treatment, 12 weeks

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.
The Miriam Hospital

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)

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.
December 31, 2025

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 15, 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 15, 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).
January 21, 2026

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.
January 22, 2026

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.
January 23, 2026

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.
January 23, 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.
January 22, 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.
January 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.
  • R03DK140291 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

All de-identified and scored data used to investigate the study aims will be preserved and shared upon approved request.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Data will be made available at the time of associated publication or the end of the project funding period, whichever comes first. The data will be retained with the repository for approximately 3 years past the publication date of the primary aims to permit sufficient time for replication of fundings.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Data will be uploaded by the PI into a repository that will meet compliance for federally funded research. The PI has authority to grant or limit access to the data. Upon receipt of request for access, the PI and investigative team will review to determine if the proposed use is scientifically justified and appropriate. If so, access to data will be granted through the portal, in coordination with the PI's institutional compliance department for data sharing, for time-limited use with potential for extension upon receipt of signed agreement to terms of use.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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.

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