Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Dietary Lapse in Obesity Treatment

This study focuses on improving dietary habits in individuals undergoing obesity treatment. The research aims to optimize a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) that helps manage dietary lapses. This JITAI has been previously piloted and will be executed using a recognized mobile platform. The study will recruit a diverse group of 159 participants who will undergo a 6-month program consisting of 3 months of online behavioral obesity treatment combined with JITAI, followed by 3 months of JITAI-only. The primary goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing dietary lapses and improving eating behaviors, ultimately aiming to enhance obesity treatment outcomes. During the study, participants will be randomly assigned to different intervention options each time the JITAI identifies an increased risk of dietary lapse. The interventions include education on lapse triggers, enhancing self-efficacy, boosting motivation, and improving self-regulation skills. Participants will complete surveys called ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) multiple times a day to assess dietary lapses. Secondary outcomes include measuring eating characteristics using a wrist-watch device and evaluating contextual moderators like location, time of day, and trigger type. Participants will also be asked to attend three assessments at baseline, 3, and 6 months to collect demographic information, weight history, and provide calorie and physical activity goals.