Taking people in United StatesNo phase

Adding friends or family to a weight loss program for adults with obesity

Tests involving friends or family in weight loss for obesity.

Key facts

Who runs it: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Where: New York, United StatesSee the site
Trial code: NCT06335810
Registry title: Reducing Obesity Using Social Ties Program
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 264 people, planned
Started: 5 Apr 2024
Expected to end: 31 Dec 2026
Type of study: Interventional, 3 groupsOne group gets a placebo (a dummy treatment), for comparison.
Treatments tested: Social Network Intervention
Individual Lifestyle Intervention
Social Network Member
Record updated: 1 April 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with obesity who are Black or Hispanic. They join with up to two friends, family members or co-workers in a weight-loss lifestyle program.

Age: 18 years or older (for the person with obesity and for the friends, family members or co-workers).
Sex: Men and women can join.
Disease stage: Obesity: BMI above 30 kg/m2, measured by study staff.
Earlier treatment: Cannot be in a weight-loss program, take weight-loss medicine or plan weight-loss surgery now.

Main reasons for not taking part

Now in a weight-loss program, using weight-loss medicine or planning weight-loss surgery
Serious illness, dementia, hospital stay, injury or pregnancy that prevents regular physical activity
Exercise not safe by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, or no clearance from a health care provider
Food insecurity that is not resolved
Speaks a language other than English or Spanish

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 4 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Index Participant:; Black race or Hispanic ethnicity; Male or Female 18 years of age or older; Calculated BMI > 30kg/m2 from objectively measured height and weight by study staff; Access \& willingness to use program food intake app via home computer or a smartphone; Ability to identify at least one adult social network member who will participate in the study
Social Network Member:; Male or Female 18 years of age or older; Access to the internet or a smartphone

Who cannot take part

Index Participant:; Active enrollment in a weight-loss program, use of weight-loss medications, or planning weight-loss surgery; Advanced medical illness, dementia, hospitalization, injury, or pregnancy that inhibits regular physical activity; Contraindications to exercise based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire or lack of clearance from a health care provider; Unresolved Food insecurity; Speaks a language other than English or Spanish
Social Network Member:; Speaks a language other than English or Spanish

Where in United States

Weill Cornell MedicineNew York, United StatesContact: Anika Lewis, MSTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This trial aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of addressing interpersonal barriers to weight-related behavior change. Specifically, the study will test if, by including up to two friends, family members, or co-workers in a lifestyle intervention for weight loss, the person enrolled in the study loses more weight than someone whose friends, family members, or co-workers were not invited to participate.

The 3 groups in the trial

Social Network InterventionTreatment being tested
Participants will complete 3 communication skills sessions with their social network members during weeks 3, 5, and 15.
Individual Lifestyle InterventionPlacebo, for comparison
Participants will complete standard diabetes prevention program (DPP) based health coaching sessions during weeks 3, 5, and 15.
Social Network MemberOther group
Social Network Members will complete 3 communication skills sessions with the social network intervention participant during weeks 3, 5, and 15.