Recruiting

Weight Loss Maintenance

Sponsor:

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Code:

NCT06785064

Conditions

Obesity Prevention

Weight Change

Weight Loss

Weight Loss Maintenance

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Reduced Food Variety (RFV)

Home-based Resistance Training (HBRT)

Buddy Training and Support (BTS)

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Workshops

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of this study is to find out what combination of components, if any, offers the best support for keeping weight off after someone loses weight. Long term weight loss maintenance is a challenge for many people who lose weight. There are many strategies, or components, people may use to avoid regain, but investigators do not know if there is a best, or optimal, combination of such components that can be done without adding a lot of cost or other burdens for people.

  • The primary goal of this clinical trial is to identify the optimal package that maximizes weight loss maintenance.
  • The study also wants to understand the reasons why these components may work and if certain components help specific sub-groups of people.

Participants will engage in a 16-week Phase 1 Weight Loss Program. Participants who lose 5% or more of their weight during that program will continue to Phase 2 Extended Care and be randomly assigned to 0, 1, 2, 3, or all of four methods of weight loss maintenance. They will use their assigned package for 12 months. Researchers will compare 16 different possible combinations of components and learn which of the 16 packages offers the best support for keeping weight off.

The four components participants could be assigned to in Phase 2 are:

1. Reduced Food Variety: Limiting the variety of foods participants eat by having them choose a few high-calorie, low nutrient foods to eat regularly
2. Home-based Resistance Training: Engaging in exercises that build strength from the comfort of the participant's own home
3. Buddy Training and Support: Having a friend or "buddy" get trained to support the participant
4. Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Workshops: Having participants learn skills to handle tough thoughts and feelings about weight control in a healthy way

Participants will have their weight measured and complete surveys 4 times if they complete both Phase 1 and Phase 2. During Phase 1, participants will attend weekly group sessions and be in touch with a study staff member investigators call a Wellness Coach. During Phase 2, participants will stay in touch with their Wellness Coach, use their assigned package, and answer questions about their experience periodically.

Conditions

Obesity Prevention

Weight Change

Weight Loss

Weight Loss Maintenance

Study ID

NCT06785064

Start date

Dec 2, 2025

Status verified date

Jan, 2026

Completion date

Feb 28, 2029

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Nov 30, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age >18 years
  • Body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2
  • Has regular access to internet (to access Zoom videoconferencing platform)
  • If indicated during screening, willing to obtain medical clearance for exercise from their healthcare provider prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current or recent (past 6 months) use of prescription weight loss medications
  • Weight loss >10 pounds in past 6 months (other than postpartum)
  • Pregnancy or anticipating pregnancy
  • Another household member already participating in the study
  • Participation in another randomized research project
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure >160/100 mm Hg at screening)
  • Any of the following other medical conditions: myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident within the last 6 months; unstable angina within the past 6 months; NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure; type 1 diabetes; and chronic lung diseases that limit physical activity
  • Unable to identify potential buddy (i.e., adult friend or family member) for extended care intervention phase
  • Residing >50 miles from the university (to attend assessment visits)
  • Planning to relocate out of the area in the next 18 months
  • Does not have internet access
  • Unwilling or unable to do any of the following: give informed consent; read/understand English; accept random assignment

Study Design

Enrollment

544 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Factorial

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

no intervention: Package 1: No WLM Components

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance only.

active comparator: Package 2: One WLM Component - BTS

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance and Buddy Training and Support.

active comparator: Package 3: One WLM Component - HBRT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance and Home-based Resistance Training

active comparator: Package 4: Two WLM Components - HBRT+BTS

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Home-based Resistance Training and Buddy Training and Support.

active comparator: Package 5: One WLM Component - ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Workshops.

active comparator: Package 6: Two WLM Components - BTS+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Buddy Training and Support and ACT Workshops.

active comparator: Package 7: Two WLM Components - HBRT+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Home-based Resistance Training and ACT Workshops.

active comparator: Package 8: Three WLM Components - HBRT+BTS+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Home-based Resistance Training, Buddy Training and Support, and ACT Workshops.

active comparator: Package 9: One WLM Component - RFV

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety.

active comparator: Package 10: Two WLM Components - RFV+BTS

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety and Buddy Training and Support

active comparator: Package 11: Two WLM Components - RFV+HBRT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety and Home-based Resistance Training.

active comparator: Package 12: Three WLM Components - RFV+HBRT+BTS

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety, Home-based Resistance Training, and Buddy Training and Support.

active comparator: Package 13: Two WLM Components - RFV+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety and ACT Workshops.

active comparator: Package 14: Three WLM Components - RFV+BTS+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety, Buddy Training and Support, and ACT Workshops.

active comparator: Package 15: Three WLM Components - RFV+HBRT+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety, Home-based Resistance Training, and ACT Workshops.

experimental: Package 16: Four WLM Components: RFV+HBRT+BTS+ACT

Participants will receive education and support for weight loss maintenance as well as Reduced Food Variety, Home-based Resistance Training, Buddy Training and Support, and ACT Workshops.

Interventions

Reduced Food Variety (RFV)

Participants engaged in reduced food variety (RFV) will be asked to choose a few high-calorie, low nutrient main meals and snacks to eat regularly. At the beginning of each month, they will choose one main meal (entrée) to eat at least 2 times a week and one snack food to eat at least 4 times a week within the month. They will have the option to keep or change their main meal and snack options from month to month.

Home-based Resistance Training (HBRT)

Participants assigned to receive home-based resistance training (also called strength training or lifting weights) will be asked to engage in at-home exercises that strengthen muscles at least 2 days each week (≤45 minutes per home session) and track their progress. They will be asked to attend 6, 1-hour group-based skills training workshops (in-person and/or remotely via Zoom) during the first two months of Phase 2 to learn these skills. They will receive exercise plans and equipment (sets of dumbbells, a rack to hold the dumbbells, and an exercise mat) needed to complete exercises.

Buddy Training and Support (BTS)

Participants assigned to buddy training and support will be asked to identify an eligible friend or family member who is over 18 years old that can be their "buddy". Study staff will contact the buddy to be sure they are eligible, willing, and have all the details they need. The participant's buddy will be asked to attend up to 6 training sessions with the study staff, so they can learn the best ways to support the participant during the program. After the buddy completes training, they will be asked to check in with the participant 1-2 times each week about their progress.

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Workshops

Participants assigned to receive Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Workshops will be asked to attend 6, 1-hour group-based skills training workshops (in-person and/or remotely via Zoom) during the first three months of Phase 2. These workshops will help them develop skills to handle tough thoughts about weight control, keep their values in mind, and be mindful of their decisions and the impact of their decisions related to weight control. They will also be asked to apply ACT skills regularly during the rest of Phase 2.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in weight from time of randomization to 12 months [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Gareth Dutton

205-934-6876gdutton@uabmc.edu

Amy Dobelstein

205-975-1059adobelst@uabmc.edu

Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Recruiting

Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35205

Contacts

Gareth Dutton, PhD

205-934-6876gdutton@uabmc.edu

Amy Dobelstein

205-975-1059adobelst@uabmc.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Last update posted

Jan 7, 2026

Last verified

Jan, 2026

Keywords

  • weight loss maintenance
  • weight loss
  • weight change
  • health behavior
  • reduced food variety
  • ACT workshop
  • buddy support
  • home-based resistance training
  • weight training

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Alabama at Birmingham on 2026-01-07.