CompletedInterventional

Testing how well a new online platform can support people living with overweight or obesity to lose weight

This study explored whether a new online system, called the STOP portal, could help adults who are overweight or obese to lose weight. Many people struggle with their weight, and digital tools might offer helpful support at home. For three months, some participants used the STOP portal to log their weight, what they ate and drank, and their physical activity. They also used features like setting goals and talking to a chatbot. Another group did not use the portal. Researchers compared weight changes between the groups to see if the STOP portal made a difference. This study helps us understand how technology can support people in healthy weight management.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Ulster

Enrolment target

Start

06 Oct 2022

Estimated completion

26 Oct 2022

Individuals living with overweight or obesity

What is this study about?

Many adults in the UK live with overweight or obesity, which can sometimes affect their health and well-being. Looking after your weight often involves making healthier choices about what you eat and how active you are. In today's digital world, online tools could offer a new way to help people manage their weight right from home, providing support and motivation in a flexible way.

This particular study looked at a new online system called the STOP portal. The main goal was to find out if using this portal for three months could help adults who are overweight or obese to lose weight. Researchers wanted to compare people who used the portal with those who didn't, to see if it made a noticeable difference in their weight management journey.

By understanding how effective digital tools like the STOP portal are, researchers hope to develop better support systems in the future. This could lead to more helpful and accessible ways for people in the UK to manage their weight and improve their overall health.

Key takeaways

This study looked at an online tool to help with weight management.
It involved adults living with overweight or obesity.
Participants either used the STOP portal or just recorded their weight.
The study lasted for three months.
It aimed to see if the online tool helped with weight loss.
No medical risks were expected, mainly self-monitoring.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you needed to be an adult, 18 years old or older, and living with overweight or obesity. This is usually determined by something called your Body Mass Index (BMI) being over 25 kg/m². Both men and women were welcome to take part.

You also needed to have access to scales at home to weigh yourself regularly and be able to understand the study information and agree to take part.

If you were under 18, or if your BMI was below 25 kg/m² (meaning you were not classed as overweight or obese for the purpose of this study), you wouldn't have been able to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or above?
Do you have access to a weighing scale at home?
Are you able to provide consent and understand study information?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you took part in this study, you would have been randomly put into one of two groups, a bit like flipping a coin. One group used the STOP online portal for up to three months. This involved regularly logging your weight, what you ate and drank, and how much physical activity you did. You could also set goals and use a chatbot feature within the portal. The other group did not use the portal during the study period.

Everyone measured and recorded their weight and height at the very start of the study, and then again after one, two, and three months. Some people were also asked to fill out short online questionnaires about their experiences. At the end of the three months, those who hadn't used the portal were offered access to it if they wanted to try it out.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study offered a few possible benefits. You might have found the online tools helpful for managing your weight and staying motivated, and you would have been helping researchers discover better ways to support people's health in the future. There were no expected medical risks, as the study mainly involved using an online platform and keeping track of your own information. Some people might have found logging their food, exercise, or weight a little inconvenient or uncomfortable at times. Remember, you would have had the right to withdraw from the study at any point without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

University of Ulster
Approximate
Coleraine, Northern Ireland

Common questions

What is the STOP portal?

The STOP portal is a new online tool designed to help people manage their weight by tracking what they eat, how active they are, and their weight, along with other features like goal setting.

How long did participants need to be involved?

Each person took part in the study for up to three months.

Where was the study conducted?

The study was run by Ulster University in Northern Ireland, but participants took part remotely from home using online systems.

Were there any costs involved in joining?

No, there were no costs for participants to join or take part in this study.

Who funded this research?

The study received funding from Horizon 2020, which is the European Union’s program for research and innovation.

How to find out more

Anne Moorhead

a.moorhead@ulster.ac.uk +44 28 9036 8905 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.