New study explores weight-neutral health coaching for black adults with obesity

This study tested two approaches—weight-focused (aiming for weight loss) and weight-neutral (focusing on physical activity without weight loss goals)—to improve metabolic health in Black adults with stage 1 obesity and related conditions like high blood pressure or prediabetes. Forty-one participants received health coaching for 7 weeks, then responders continued coaching while non-responders got extra support like YMCA memberships or medical management. The goal was to see if a larger trial is possible, not to prove which method works better.