Phone app aims to stop diet cheats before they happen

NCT ID NCT04784585

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a smartphone app that monitors when you might be about to break your diet and sends helpful alerts or tips. About 200 adults with obesity and heart risk factors will use the app alongside a standard online weight loss program. The goal is to see which types of alerts work best to prevent dietary lapses.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

smartphone-based just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) with behavioral education and self-efficacy training

What this could lead to

If it works, this could lead to a scalable smartphone tool that helps people stay on track with their diet during weight loss programs, improving long-term weight control.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage optimization trial, not a test of weight loss itself. The interventions may not prevent lapses in real-world settings, and results may not apply to everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obesity obesity disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center

    Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States