The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at NIH is funding seven clinical trials that combine behavioral weight management programs with technologies such as text messaging, social networking and Bluetooth-enabled devices, Consumer Affairsreports.
The trials, known as Early Adult Reduction of Weight Through Lifestyle Intervention, seek to promote weight loss and prevent weight gain among young adults ages 18 to 35. Some trials will use:
Internet-based programs to promote the health of pregnant and postpartum women;
iPods and webinars to deliver weight loss information for young adults trying to quit smoking; and
Text message reminders and exercise monitors to measure weight loss progress.
The trials, which are receiving $36 million over five years, will start enrolling participants by spring 2011 (Limbach, Consumer Affairs, 12/1).
Autism Research Database
Meanwhile, NIH also announced the creation of a new online portal to provide researchers with access to databases with information on more than 10,000 participants in autism spectrum disorder studies, Modern Healthcarereports.
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Commission, a panel set up by Congress, has required that the database collect 90% of data from new research (Robeznieks, Modern Healthcare,12/1).