Welcome to AYA Connect
…a digital health research study to help adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) make healthy lifestyle changes and reach a healthier weight.
Brought to you by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, AYA Connect is a unique program that provides tools and strategies to help AYAs adopt healthier habits, reach a healthier weight, and improve their overall health. It also provides an opportunity for AYAs to participate in important research to help us understand more about ways to help post-treatment AYAs lead healthier lifestyles.
About AYA Connect
AYA Connect is a 6-month research study that will test the feasibility and acceptability of a weight management program designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of AYAs. The program is delivered remotely using digital health tools and strategies.
If you enroll, you will be one of approximately 60 adolescent and young adult cancer survivors participating in the study and contributing to this research.
What will I do in the program?
If you are eligible and enroll in AYA Connect, you will be randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups (which means you can’t choose your group):
1) comprehensive digital weight management program that includes evidence-based strategies to help you improve your diet quality, increase your physical activity, and reach a healthier weight and tailored feedback messages,
2) comprehensive digital weight management program and additional strategies that may promote positive emotions and mental well-being, or
3) comprehensive digital weight management program, additional strategies that may promote positive emotions and mental well-being, and weekly video sessions with a health coach.
All participants will receive a comprehensive digital weight management program focused on improving diet quality, increasing physical activity, and reaching a healthier weight. The program components include a Fitbit physical activity tracker, a smart scale, access to the study mobile app, a kickoff session by videochat with a health coach, and tailored feedback messages in the study app. You will be asked to complete online questionnaires and other measurements at the start of the study and after 3 and 6 months. You will be sent a Fitbit to track physical activity for 7 days and a digital smart scale to measure your weight at all time points.
Most importantly, you will learn strategies that will help you promote a healthier lifestyle for today and the future.
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle after cancer treatment may be beneficial for cancer survivors and result in improvements in physical functioning, quality of life and fatigue. This program provides information and strategies to help you reach a healthier weight, become more physically active, and eat a healthy diet.
You will receive a Fitbit activity tracker and digital smart scale (valued at up to $195 for both depending on Fitbit model selected) to track your activity and weight.
Throughout the program you may benefit by receiving:
Professional expertise (exercise physiologists, health educators, nutritionists, psychologists) and information to help improve your health and reach a healthier weight
Personalized feedback on your physical activity, nutrition, and weight change
This information is provided to you free of charge as a participant in AYA Connect. You may also receive up to $120 for completing all study questionnaires and measurements. The entire study can be completed online; however, there is an option for some participants local to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to complete their measurements at our research center for an additional $10 per measurement visit.
By participating in this study, you will be contributing to the development of programs for other AYAs who may struggle with reaching a healthier weight, improving their diet, or increasing physical activity after cancer.
If you are interested in signing up, please go to our online screener to see if you are eligible to participate.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
Are currently age 18-39
Were diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) at age 15 or older
Have completed cancer treatment
Have a body mass index between 25 and 50 (use calculator to the right)
Own an iPhone with data and text messaging plan
*Additional eligibility criteria apply.
Congratulations on taking this first step towards a healthier future!
CONTACT US
If you would like to learn more about the AYA Connect study, please contact us at (919) 966-5852 or email uncweightresearch@unc.edu.
This study has been reviewed by the IRB (Study #21-2145). If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, or if you would like to obtain information or offer input, you may contact the Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or by email to IRB_subjects@unc.edu.