Singhal Lab

Weight Loss App Study

An Addiction Model Based Mobile Health Weight Loss Intervention with Coaching in Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity

About the Study

male standing on a weight scale

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the use of a smartphone app aimed at reducing overeating behaviors among adolescents with obesity based on the theory that addictive behaviors are driven by a displacement mechanism in the brain. Displacement theory suggests that overeating and associated weight gain are the result of situations that individuals feel they cannot successfully face or avoid. The app helps participants identify life situations that are difficult and create action plans to address them. In theory, this stops the buildup of stress-produced energy and prevents the channeling to harmful displacement activities, such as overeating. Instead, the app has participants re-channel this energy to non-harmful displacement activities. Participants work with a trained coach to help navigate the app and address their stressors. 

Keywords

Obesity, overweight, weight loss, food addiction, teens, adolescents

Study Type

Interventional

Eligibility

  1. Age 14-21 years
  2. Able to read and speak English
  3. Body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile for age and gender

Please go to www.brainweighve.com/study for more information on the app intervention or reach out to study staff.

There is up to $250 compensation for the participant's time and reimbursement for parking.

Contact Ashley Huynh, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-893-9522.

Collaborators (Co-Investigators)

Steven D. Mittelman, MD, PhD
Pediatric Endocrinology

Relevant Publications

Reconceptualization of eating addiction and obesity as displacement behavior and a possible treatment.

  • Pretlow R, Glasner S. Reconceptualization of eating addiction and obesity as displacement behavior and a possible treatment. Eat Weight Disord. 2022 Oct;27(7):2897-2903. doi: 10.1007/s40519-022-01427-1. Epub 2022 Jun 22. Erratum in: Eat Weight Disord. 2024 Feb 13;29(1):14. doi: 10.1007/s40519-024-01644-w. PMID: 35731464; PMCID: PMC9556343.