FUNDING SOURCE: NIDDK, 2021-2026

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Brie Turner-McGrievy, PhD, RD

CO-INVESTIGATORS:

• Homayoun Valafar, PhD
• Courtney Monroe, PhD, EP-C

Overweight and obesity are linked to a number of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Weight loss has been shown to help with the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Behavioral weight loss programs that provide, encourage, or facilitate social support are associated with greater adherence to treatment. Using the Social Pounds Off Digitally app, which is designed to facilitate social support and weight loss through earning social gaming with points, this project will examine if adding points/gamifying a weight loss intervention produces greater sustained weight loss and social support among overweight and obese adults than the same intervention without points.

To read the award announcement, please visit the Arnold School of Public Health website.