Texts and talks trim waistlines in housing study
NCT ID NCT04852042
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested if a 1-year text messaging program, with or without monthly calls from a community health worker, could help 316 public housing residents in Boston lose weight. Participants were split into three groups: text messages only, texts plus phone coaching, or a control group. The goal was to see if the extra support led to greater weight loss.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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316 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2021
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Current resident of Boston public housing development * No plans to move within the next 6 months and no plan on leaving the country for more than 2 months over the next year * Able to read and speak in English or Spanish * Has cell phone with a plan that allows for unlimited text messages * Willing to wear a device to track physical activity during assessment periods Exclusion Criteria: * Currently enrolled in a comprehensive weight loss program or a research study about weight that is incompatible with study participation * Currently on a medically prescribed diet or fast that is incompatible with study participation * Currently has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, mania, manic-depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis and is not on any medications to treat the condition * Precontemplation stage of change for making healthy eating or physical activity changes * Pregnancy * Medical contraindications to physical activity. Self-reported presence of any of the following: * Can not walk without help from someone else * Regularly needs to use the following special equipment to walk or get around: wheelchair, scooter, walker, or extra oxygen * Gets short of breath even when using special equipment at a very low level of physical activity such as walking around the home, making a bed, or taking a bath * Advised by a healthcare professional not to exercise and or if diagnosed with a bone or joint problem, it could get worse. * Frequently gets pains in the heart or chest * Had a heart attack in the past 6 months * Often feels faint or has spells of severe dizziness * Has very high blood pressure that is often over 175 or the bottom blood pressure number is often over 110 * Has a good physical reason not to follow an activity program even if they wanted to
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Boston Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States
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