About the program
Nudge is a free (no fees to participate) weight loss program brought to you by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that is designed to help young adults ages 18-39 adopt healthier eating and activity habits and learn effective ways to manage their weight. The 6-month program is delivered using a study smartphone app, digital health tools, and daily personalized messages. If you are eligible, you have the opportunity to participate in important research to help us understand more about how we can use mobile technologies to help young adults lose weight.
If you enroll, you will be one of approximately 201 young adults participating in the program.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
Are currently age 18-39
Have a body mass index between 25 and 45 (check your BMI here)
English speaking and writing
Own a smartphone with Internet access
Reside in the United States
*Additional eligibility criteria apply
What will I do in the program?
The Nudge program uses a simplified and personalized approach to weight loss. You will use a digital scale to track your weight and a simple way of tracking your foods to help you make positive changes in your eating. You’ll use an activity tracker to help increase your physical activity, and you will receive daily personalized messages from the study smartphone app that will help you stay on track with your weight goals.
All participants will be asked to complete online questionnaires and other measurements at home at the start of the study, after 3 months, and after 6 months.
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
Research shows that young adulthood is a common time for weight gain, and that the weight gained puts you at higher risk for health problems later in life. You may benefit from the program by losing some weight now and learning effective ways to manage your weight so that you can achieve and maintain a healthy weight for years to come.
Throughout the program you may also benefit by receiving:
Professional expertise and information to help you adopt strategies for making changes in your eating and physical activity
Daily messages that give you feedback and strategies to help you meet your weight goals
Personalized feedback on your progress
This information is provided to you free of charge as a participant in Nudge. You will also receive $50 at the start, $25 at 3 months, and $75 at 6 months for completing all study questionnaires and measurements.
If you are interested in signing up, please go to our online screener below to see if you are eligible to participate.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the study, please contact us at 919-966-5852 or email nudgestudy@unc.edu .
This study has been reviewed by the UNC Institutional Review Board (Study #22-0170).