A brief online quiz may help people stay committed to their weight loss goals, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in JMIR Formative Research. Researchers found that participants who completed a short “eating profile” quiz were more likely to engage with a digital weight management program and follow personalized advice.
The study, led by researchers at City St George’s, University of London, involved 148 UK adults enrolled in a free 12-week digital weight management program commissioned by the NHS. Participants completed a 17-question quiz that grouped them into one of four eating profiles. They then received weekly personalized guidance over seven weeks through the Oviva weight loss app.
The four profiles identified were:
Maladaptive comfort-eaters, who often feel guilt or shame around food
Food-lovers, prone to overeating enjoyable foods
Goal-strugglers, who find it difficult to stick to their plans
Well-adjusted, who struggle to control their weight despite healthy habits
Advice was tailored to each profile. Comfort-eaters were encouraged to reduce bingeing using mindfulness and self-compassion techniques. Food-lovers received strategies for enjoying smaller portions and practicing sensory eating. Goal-strugglers were guided to adopt small, manageable daily habits, while the well-adjusted group focused on improving diet quality and adopting flexible eating patterns, such as a mix of 80% healthy and 20% less healthy foods.
Participants who received personalized advice demonstrated significantly higher engagement with the app compared to a historical cohort from the previous year and those who did not complete the quiz. Engagement measures included logging meals and communicating with coaches. Overall, engagement increased by 61.5% compared to the historical group and 90.5% compared to the non-quiz group.
While average weight loss was higher among quiz participants, the difference was not statistically significant over the seven-week period, which researchers attribute to the short duration of the trial. Longer-term tracking is planned to evaluate lasting effects.
Dr. Joanna Szypula, a behaviour change researcher at City St George’s, said: “Obesity affects over a quarter of adults in the UK and is a leading cause of preventable illness and rising healthcare costs. This study highlights the potential of personalized programs to motivate people and improve engagement in their own weight loss. Weight loss is personal—what works for one may not work for another. By understanding behaviour profiles, we can help people overcome barriers and adopt healthier lifestyles. The encouraging news is that these factors can be addressed and changed.”
The study, funded by UK Research and Innovation, was conducted as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. Researchers emphasize the need for larger, randomized trials with longer follow-up periods to determine whether increased engagement leads to significant, sustained weight loss.
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