Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41894078›Full record

ArticleJournal of behavioral medicine2026

A pilot study of a digital weight loss program for people with obesity in four diverse cohorts.

Che Young Lee, Thuan Le, Carrie R Daniel, Larkin L Strong, Scherezade K Mama, Lorna H McNeill, Abenaa M Brewster, Samir M Hanash, Karen Basen-Engquist

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of behavioral medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Che Young LeeDepartment of Health Disparities Research, Unit 732, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Thuan LeDepartment of Health Disparities Research, Unit 732, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Carrie R DanielDepartment of Epidemiology, Unit 735, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Larkin L StrongDepartment of Health Disparities Research, Unit 732, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Scherezade K MamaDepartment of Health Disparities Research, Unit 732, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Lorna H McNeillDepartment of Health Disparities Research, Unit 732, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Abenaa M BrewsterDepartment of Clinical Cancer Prevention, Unit 1360, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Samir M HanashDepartment of Clinical Cancer Prevention, Unit 1360, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Karen Basen-EngquistDepartment of Health Disparities Research, Unit 732, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6900 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA. kbasenen@mdanderson.org.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In this pilot study of a digital weight loss program for cancer prevention, we evaluated program feasibility and acceptability for weight loss and improvement of healthy behaviors among racially/ethnically diverse individuals with overweight and obesity. A 16-week low-touch digital weight loss program, based on the diabetes prevention program, was implemented to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and portion control among four unique cohorts in Texas, USA. Participants received fully digital program materials via email, 5-10 text message reminders per week, Fitbit activity trackers and Wi-Fi-connected scales for daily self-monitoring of physical activity and weight. Weight, physical activity, dietary intake, weight-related eating behaviors, and quality of life were assessed remotely at baseline and follow-up (16-week). Program completion and satisfaction were assessed after the program. Pre-post changes in outcomes were examined using paired t-tests and Pearson's chi-squared tests. Among 48 enrolled participants, 37 completed the program (77% completion rate). Participants had moderate adherence to weekly weighing, and high adherence to Fitbit wear and responding to text messages. They reported a high level of satisfaction with the program, with a mean score of 4.06 out of 5. At follow-up, we observed loss of ~ 2% of baseline weight (range - 13.8% to + 3.4%) and significant improvements in weight-related eating behaviors and dietary habits (i.e., 30% decrease in total daily calorie intake (p < .001), 14% increase in protein intake (p = .044), and 56% decrease in added-sugar intake (p < .001), etc.). This low-touch digital weight loss program was feasible and acceptable for weight loss and improving eating behaviors among racial/ethnic diverse individuals with overweight and obesity. Program completion and engagement appeared to vary across cohorts, suggesting program adaptations and additional support beyond the low-touch digital weight loss program offered in this study may be needed for some groups.

Indexed as

ObesityWeight Reduction ProgramsAdultCohort StudiesDigital HealthExerciseFeasibility StudiesFemaleHealth BehaviorHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionPilot ProjectsQuality of LifeTexasCancer prevention weight loss programLifestyle behavior change strategiesmHealthTechnology-based

Identifiers

PMID41894078
PMCPMC13303674

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.