Is measuring real-world appetite useful for weight loss prediction with a novel weight loss product, and is this approach acceptable in underserved communities?

Other investigators

To be announced.

Description

Sirona is a novel hydrogel that expands once in the stomach and potentially increases fullness. Designed by Oxford Medical Products (OMP), an existing collaboration between the University of Bristol (UoB) and OMP facilitated the measurement of appetite during the first-in-human trials, using our novel ecological momentary assessment (EMA) tool. Preliminary EMA data suggests that Sirona suppresses appetite, but how these relate to longer-term food intake and/or body weight is currently unknown. An opportunity arises to use this dataset to investigate whether measuring real-life appetite in weight-management trials can usefully predict outcomes: energy intake and weight loss. If a proof-of-concept study of our EMA tool can predict outcomes, we believe the tool may translate for use with other weight-loss products (e.g., GLP1-agonists). Importantly, earlier, accurate prediction of weight loss would fast-track novel therapy outcomes allowing earlier adoption. Excess adiposity is socially and ethnically patterned, and therefore we aim to investigate the acceptability of EMA in underserved communities. Through qualitative analysis of culturally relevant questionnaires and focus groups, we will explore potential cultural barriers and enablers in using EMA. Ultimately, we hope this project facilitates development of an approach for wide usage across populations to monitor appetite alongside weight-loss devices and medications.

Project keywords

(1) Ecological momentary assessment (2) Appetite (3) Weight-loss device (4) Predictive

Outputs

To be announced.

Email contact

becca.elsworth@bristol.ac.uk