Control Systems Engineering to Address the Problem of Weight Loss Maintenance: A System Identification Experiment to Model Behavioral & Psychosocial Factors Measured by Ecological Momentary Assessment

Summary

This project capitalizes on principles of control systems engineering to build a dynamical model that predicts weight change during weight loss maintenance using behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental indicators evaluated in a system identification experiment. A 6-month behavioral obesity treatment will be administered to produce weight loss. Participants losing at least 3% of initial body weight will be followed for an additional 12 months via daily smartphone surveys that incorporates passive sensing to objectively monitor key behaviors. Survey data pertaining to behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental indicators will be used to develop a controller algorithm that can predict when an individual is entering a heightened period of risk for regain and why risk is elevated. Interventions targeting key risk indicators will be randomly administered during the system ID experiment. Survey and passive sensing data documenting the effects of the interventions will likewise drive development of the controller algorithm, allowing it to determine which interventions are most likely to counter risk of regain.

Eligibility

Age range

18–70 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Intervention Targeting Stress and Emotion Regulation

  This intervention involves learning and practicing relaxation exercises and setting aside time for pleasurable activities.

• Behavioral
  Intervention Targeting Motivation and Self-efficacy for Weight Management

  This intervention involves identifying values related to weight, lifestyle, and health; identifying barriers to value-consistent living; exploring the consequences of letting barriers drive behavior; and 4) setting goals that are small, specific, attainable, and values-consistent.

• Behavioral
  Intervention for Normalization of Eating

  This intervention involves dietary self-monitoring with the goal of staying within a calorie goal ranging from 1,200 kcal/day to 1,800 kcal/day. Participants are also provided with meal planning tools and encouraged to addresses hunger and cravings by promoting feelings of satiety via consumption of foods that are high in volume but low in calories.

• Behavioral
  Intervention Targeting Physical Activity and Sleep

  This simple intervention prompts participants at the start of the day to schedule up to 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity; brisk walking is encouraged. Participants also set a bedtime and wake time and are encouraged to set a reminder alarm to ensure at least 8 hours of sleep.

Location