This study is now closed. For current opportunities, browse our studies page.

Weight Study

Weight study you can do from home

Help us better understand weight changes over time in women.

Enrollment closed

Women ages 45-55 years

$150 compensation for your time and a body composition scale

1-year observational study


Weight changes during a woman’s key life stages, including before, during, and after menopause, can increase cardiovascular risk. The knowledge gained from this study may be used for the development of specific weight management strategies to reduce the risk of heart disease among women.

Brooke Aggarwal, EdD, MS

Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences in the Division of Cardiology, Fellow of the American Heart Association, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Brooke Aggarwal, EdD, MS

Why is this study important?

Weight gain increases the risk of heart disease. We would like to find out which specific physical traits are linked to weight gain over time in women. These traits could be affected by a woman’s genes, her environment, and her behaviors. This study is part of Research Goes Red, an initiative of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women and Verily’s Project Baseline. The mission of the American Heart Association is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Maintaining an optimal weight is a major component of a healthy lifestyle.


Project Baseline is an initiative to make it easy and engaging for people like you to contribute to the map of human health and participate in clinical research.

Together with researchers, clinicians, engineers, designers, advocates, and volunteers, we're collaborating to build the next generation of healthcare tools and services.

Research Goes Red aims to empower women to contribute to health research. Collectively, we can unlock the power of science to find new ways to treat, beat, and prevent heart disease in women. This collaboration unites American Heart Association heart health experts, patients, loved ones, and Go Red for Women with Verily, and its leading tools and technologies, to truly make a difference.

American Heart Association
Columbia
Verily Life Science

Who's eligible

  • Women ages 45-55 years
  • U.S. Resident
  • Able to speak and read English
  • Owner and primary user of a smartphone
  • Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period

What's involved

Taking 3 surveys

You’ll answer surveys about your health at enrollment, 6 months and 1-year.

Recording food logs and measurements

You’ll submit a 7-day food log at enrollment and 1-year, and at-home measurements each month of the study.

Blood draws

You will get a blood draw at enrollment and at 1-year.


What you'll receive

It feels good to do good. Plus, you'll receive:

Compensation for your time

You will receive your blood test results

Exclusive access to the Research Goes Red community, resources, and events

Body composition scale to keep - even after the study ends


Contribute to a better understanding of weight changes over time in women.

Weight Study

Study FAQs

This study is one year in duration.

Project Baseline is a broad effort to better understand health and prevent disease. This study is part of a new initiative from the American Heart Association calling on women across the United States to participate in health research, called Research Goes Red. Enrollment is open to all eligible participants, whether or not you participated in previous studies.

You will complete a 1-hour survey at the time of enrollment (0 months), at 6 months, and at 1-year. You will be required to have your blood drawn (~2 tablespoons) and blood pressure measured at a nearby LabCorp at 0 months and 1-year. For one week of each month for the duration of the study, you will enter your weight, waist size, and body fat percentage in a mobile app.  You will enter your food intake using a dietary assessment tool for a one-week period at 0 months and 1-year. A subsample of participants will be randomly chosen to receive a home blood pressure monitor. If you are chosen, you will record and submit blood pressure measurements twice per day for one week each month.

We will send you a body composition monitor and scale that will provide you with weight and body fat percentage measurements. We will also send you a tape measure and instructions on how to measure your waist size. You will be able to keep all items we send you.

We will help you make an appointment at a LabCorp location most convenient for you to get to and we will receive the results from LapCorp. You will also receive a copy of your results.

Yes! You can earn a total of $150 for participating in this study. You will receive $25 for completing the surveys at enrollment (0 months), $25 for completing the questionnaires at 1-year, $50 for the physical measures and blood sample at enrollment, and $50 for the physical measures and blood samples at 1-year.

Compensation will be distributed to you electronically or by mail from the study coordinator at Columbia University.

This will not affect your participation in the study as long as you are still able to make an appointment with a nearby LabCorp for your 1-year appointment.