eBATTLE©™ digital solution

2022-2026

Funding

Clinical Therapy Research in the Specialist Health Services (KLINBEFORSK) and Oslo University Hospital HF (OUS).

About the project

eBATTLE digital solution (eBATTLE DIG) is a sub-project under the main project eBATTLE Obesity (eHealth BehAvioral TreaTment of adoLEscent Obesity – 2-month low-energy-diet followed by 1-yr cognitive behavioral therapy with or without semaglutide), awarded by the Clinical Therapy Research in the Specialist Health Services (KLINBEFORSK) to Vestfold Hospital Trust by Principal Investigator Jøran Hjelmesæth and several national partners.

Background for the eBATTLE Obesity project is a global increase in the number of adolescents with obesity.  Left untreated, obesity among adolescents can lead to a number of challenges, including an increased risk of reduced life expectancy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and various forms of cancer. Obesity in adolescents is also associated with stigma, being bullied, mental illness and reduced quality of life. So far, there is limited available evidence-based effective treatment of obesity in adolescents. Lifestyle treatment alone shows marginal weight reduction, and there is a need for research exploring more effective treatment methods for obesity. The purpose of the eBATTLE obesity project is therefore to test the effect of non-surgical treatment methods for weight loss and weight maintenance in a randomized controlled trial including adolescents with obesity. The main purpose of eBATTLE obesity is to test the effect of the obesity-reducing drug Semaglutide. All participants will be followed up individually by healthcare professionals and receive digital support for behavioral and lifestyle changes.

As a partner in the eBATTLE Obesity project, the Department of Digital Health Research (DIG) is responsible for the design and development of the study’s digital solution – a sub-project here called "eBATTLE digital solution (eBATTLE DIG)". The goal of this sub-project is to develop a digital solution that will assist in motivating, engaging and providing knowledge for behavioral and lifestyle change for adolescents aged 12 – 18 years with obesity, a digital solution that can be used as a support tool in connection with treatment and appointments with project related health care providers.

The digital solution will be developed based on evidence-based methods (incl. nutrition information, behavioral change, support and coping strategies) and the users' experiences, needs and wishes. User representatives from the target group will be actively involved throughout the process, from idea development to final product.

Partners

The entire eBATTLE research project is led by Vestfold Hospital Trust through Jøran Hjelmesæth, Centre Director for the Centre for Morbid Obesity in the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority and Vestfold Hospital Trust. Dr. Hjelmesæth is the Principal Investigator (PI) in the overall eBATTLE Obesity project. The subproject eBATTLE digital solution (eBATTLE DIG), that is design, development and piloting of the digital solution takes place at DIG and is led by DIG Department Head Dr. L. Solberg Nes (PI eBATTLE DIG).

• Jøran Hjelmesæth, MD, PhD, Center Director and professor, Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust / Department of Medicine, University of Oslo
• Jens Kristoffer Hertel, Head of Section for SSO Research, Centre for Morbid Obesity in South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg
• Line Kristin Johnson, PhD, Nutritionist, Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg
• Yngvild Sørebø Danielsen, Associate Professor, Head of Section, Section for Children and Adolescents, Psychology University Outpatient Clinic, University of Bergen

• Hanna Flækøy Skjåkødegård, PhD fellow, University of Bergen

• Johannes Rolin, Senior consultant paediatric section and Centre for Morbid Obesity, Children and Adolescents, Vestfold Hospital Trust