NCT07518875

Online Dietary Weight Loss Program for Arab Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Testing an Online Dietary Weight Loss Program for Arab Adults: A Comparative Study With Existing Hospital-Based Weight Loss Interventions in Saudi Arabia

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Asma Yahya · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study is testing whether a culturally adapted online dietary and lifestyle program can help Arab adults in Saudi Arabia lose weight and improve their overall health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an online lifestyle and dietary intervention group or a usual care group receiving standard hospital-based dietary care. The online program lasts 6 months and includes 12 Arabic-language educational sessions, practical guidance on healthy eating and lifestyle habits, and support from dietitians when needed. The usual care group will receive personalized dietary advice as normally provided in the hospital setting. Researchers will compare the two groups to see how the program affects body weight, dietary habits, and quality of life over time. The goal of this study is to identify an effective and accessible weight management approach for Arab adults in Saudi Arabia.

Detailed description

Obesity is a growing public health concern in Saudi Arabia and is associated with increased risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Although hospital-based weight management services are available, access to structured, culturally relevant, and sustainable dietary support remains limited for many adults. Online interventions may offer a practical and scalable alternative, particularly when they are tailored to local language, culture, and eating habits. This study will evaluate a culturally adapted online dietary and lifestyle intervention designed for Arab adults in Saudi Arabia. The intervention was developed based on the EMPOWER weight loss program and revised using participant feedback from a prior Saudi pilot study. The current version includes Arabic-language educational content, Saudi food examples, visual tools to support food choices, and ongoing support for behavior change and weight management. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the online lifestyle and dietary intervention group or the usual care group. The online intervention will be delivered over 6 months and will include 12 educational sessions, practical dietary guidance, and individualized support from dietitians when needed. Participants in the usual care group will receive the standard dietary care available through the hospital. Study outcomes will include changes in body weight, waist and hip circumference, dietary intake, and health-related quality of life over time. The findings from this trial may help identify an effective, accessible, and culturally appropriate model for obesity treatment in Arab populations.

Conditions

• Overweight and Obesity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Online Lifestyle and Dietary Program	A culturally adapted, 6-month online program designed for Arab adults that includes 12 educational sessions, practical dietary guidance, and tools to support sustainable lifestyle changes and weight management. Participants may also receive support from dietitians and feedback on dietary and weight progress.
BEHAVIORAL	Usual Dietary Care	Standard dietary care provided in the hospital setting, including individualized dietary recommendations based on clinical assessment and routine follow-up.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-09
• Primary completion: 2026-10-31
• Completion: 2026-10-31
• First posted: 2026-04-09
• Last updated: 2026-04-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Saudi Arabia