Piloting a Patient Navigator Program for Weight Loss

Launched by DREXEL UNIVERSITY · May 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new program designed to help adults with overweight or obesity lose weight more effectively. The study will involve 68 participants who will receive support from a "patient navigator." This navigator will guide them through different weight loss options, encouraging them to start and stick with a suitable program over 12 months. The goal is to see how well the navigator helps participants understand their choices and stay engaged in their weight loss journey.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be between 18 and 75 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) of over 27, and be able to communicate in English. They should also have reliable internet access to join virtual meetings and live in the greater Philadelphia area. Participants will need to connect a wireless scale to track their weight throughout the study. Importantly, individuals with specific medical conditions, those currently taking weight loss medications, or pregnant women are not eligible to join. This trial aims to collect valuable information about how helpful the navigator program can be for those trying to lose weight.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria include:
• • BMI \> 27 kg/m2
• • weight \< 396 pounds due to limits of the wireless scale
• • age 18 to 75
• • ability to read and speak English sufficiently to engage with a counselor and complete study measures
• • willing to be randomized to either study condition
• • willing to engage with a counselor for assistance in identifying and initiating a weight loss intervention
• • successfully complete enrollment and assessments tasks, including connecting a wireless scale for baseline measurement of weight
• • reliable access to a device capable of using email and Drexel approved videoconferencing software
• • residing in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area, which includes Southeastern PA, Southern NJ, Northeast MD, and Northern DE
• • agree that they will not join another intervention study in the WELL Center in the next 12 months
• Exclusion criteria include:
• • a medical or psychiatric condition that may a) limit appropriateness of weight loss intervention or b) be likely to cause a change in weight in the next 12 months (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, end-stage kidney disease, some types of cancer)
• • currently taking weight loss medication or engaging in any other form of weight management intervention
• • history of bariatric surgery
• • a calculated weight suppression value of 10% or higher
• • currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months
• • adults unable to consent, children, pregnant women, and prisoners