Outcomes of a pilot microrandomized trial of just-in-time adaptive intervention messages nudging weight-related behaviors in young adults
Open accessAbstract
Objective: There is limited evidence on the effects of various types of intervention messages on achievement of daily behavioral goals in mobile weight loss programs. Nudge, a 12-week pilot microrandomized trial among young adults, tested whether 7 types of intervention messages based on behavior change techniques (BCTs) increased the likelihood of daily goal achievement. Methods: Participants received lessons, tailored feedback, self-monitoring tools, and daily messages, and had daily behavioral goals (weighing, active minutes goal, and red foods limit). Four times/day, participants (N = 52, aged 18–35, body mass index 25–40 kg/m 2 ) were randomized to receive or not receive 1 of 7 types of BCT-based messages. Generalized estimating equations evaluated the effects of receiving a message versus not on daily goal achievement, and of receiving and viewing a message versus not viewing a message. Results: Randomization to receive any message (vs. none) did not impact likelihood of meeting daily goals overall but was associated with fewer red foods tracked (odds ratio (OR) = .96; 95% confidence interval (CI): .94–.98). Randomization to receive (vs. not receive) a social comparison message about red foods was associated with fewer red foods tracked (OR = .92; 95% CI: .85–.99); no other message types were associated with daily goal achievement. Receiving and viewing any message (vs. not viewing) increased odds of achieving daily goals for all 3 behaviors: weighing (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.06–3.43), active minutes (OR = 1.63; 95% CI:1.20–2.20), and red foods limit (OR = 2.09; 95% CI:1.46–3.01). Conclusions: BCT-based messages may nudge achievement of daily goals when participants view them. Further research should explore how to increase and maintain engagement in mobile behavioral interventions. Trial registration: Precision Public Health: Enhancing Connections to Develop Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention Strategies (Nudge); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03836391 ; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03836391
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- Authors
- Valle, C. G., Nezami, B. T., O’Shea, N. G., Hatley, K. E., & Tate, D. F.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Health of Populations Division, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Corresponding author
- Valle, Carmina G
- Venue
- DIGITAL HEALTH
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2025-05
- Volume
- 11
- Pages
- 20552076251353267-20552076251353267
- ISSN
- 2055-2076 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC12235231
- OpenAlex
- W4412072073
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4
- FWCI
- 5.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Digital Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR002489 to support REDCap at UNC)
- National Cancer Institute (P30 CA016086 to UNC Lineberger Comp Cancer Ctr)
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Gillings Innovation Lab Award)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK056350 to UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Ctr)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
- Keywords
- just-in-time adaptive interventions, nudging, behaviour change techniques, young adults, physical activity, weight monitoring
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