A health organization in Maryland challenged their community to lose 1 million pounds by 2030 to fight obesity and bring people together. Starting in 2020, the “Go for Bold” campaign encouraged people to exercise more, eat better, and take care of their mental health. Over 7,700 people participated using a free online weight tracker. By 2024, the community had lost 160,000 pounds, and more people were reaching healthy weight ranges. The program shows that when communities work together with clear goals, real results are possible.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a community-wide weight loss program with online tracking and local partnerships could help people lose weight and improve their health
- Who participated: Over 7,700 people from Washington County, Maryland, ranging from different ages and backgrounds, working with 55 community partners including schools, employers, and government offices
- Key finding: The program helped people lose 160,000 pounds in 4 years, and 6% more patients reached a healthy weight range, showing that community-based programs can create real, measurable health improvements
- What it means for you: If you’re trying to lose weight, joining a community program with friends, family, or coworkers—especially one with online tracking and local support—may increase your chances of success. However, individual results vary, and this program worked best with strong community involvement
The Research Details
Meritus Health created an ambitious public health campaign called “Go for Bold” that launched in October 2020. The program focused on three main strategies: getting more physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and improving mental health. Participants could use a private online tool to track their weight loss over time. The organization partnered with schools, employers, and local government to spread the program and make it accessible to many people in the community.
The researchers tracked how many people participated, how much weight was lost, and whether patients’ health improved over time. They measured success by looking at how many people reached a healthy weight range (body mass index below 27) between 2020 and 2024. This approach combined real-world participation data with medical records from the health system.
This type of study is important because it shows what happens when health organizations try to help entire communities, not just individual patients. Instead of testing a new medicine or diet in a lab, researchers looked at a real program that thousands of people actually used. This helps us understand whether big community goals and partnerships can really change people’s health behaviors and outcomes.
The study tracked a large number of people (7,700+) over 4 years, which gives us confidence in the results. The program included medical records from the health system, making the weight loss claims verifiable. However, the study didn’t have a comparison group of people who didn’t participate, so we can’t be 100% certain the program caused all the improvements. The program also worked best in a community with strong partnerships, so results might differ in other areas.
What the Results Show
The “Go for Bold” campaign achieved significant results over its first four years. More than 7,700 community members participated in the program, collectively losing 160,000 pounds by December 2024. This means the average participant lost about 21 pounds, though individual results varied widely.
The health improvements were measurable in the medical records. Among patients who see endocrinologists (doctors who specialize in weight and metabolism), 6.05% more people reached a healthy weight range. For all Meritus patients, 2.3% more achieved this health goal. While these percentages might sound small, they represent hundreds of people improving their health.
The program’s success came from combining three key strategies: encouraging exercise, promoting healthy eating, and supporting mental wellness. The online weight tracker was a central tool that let people see their progress privately and stay motivated. Community events and celebrations helped keep people engaged over the long term.
Beyond weight loss numbers, the program created important community benefits. By involving 55 different partners—including schools, workplaces, and government agencies—the campaign built connections across the community. This partnership approach made the program sustainable because it used resources that already existed rather than requiring new funding. The program also learned that setting a bold, specific goal (1 million pounds by 2030) helped unite people around a shared purpose, even though the goal was ambitious.
Community-based weight loss programs have shown promise in previous research, but this study demonstrates that large-scale programs can work in real-world settings. Most previous studies tested programs in controlled environments with smaller groups. The “Go for Bold” campaign shows that when health organizations partner with schools, employers, and government, they can reach thousands of people and create measurable health improvements. This adds to growing evidence that community involvement and partnerships strengthen health programs.
The study didn’t include a comparison group of people who didn’t participate, so we can’t say with certainty that the program caused all the weight loss and health improvements. Some people might have lost weight anyway without the program. The program worked well in Washington County, which may have unique characteristics, so results might be different in other communities. The study also didn’t track whether people kept the weight off long-term after the initial 4 years, so we don’t know about lasting effects. Additionally, the program may have attracted people who were already motivated to lose weight, which could make results look better than they would be for the general population.
The Bottom Line
If you’re trying to lose weight, consider joining a community program or finding a group of friends or coworkers with similar goals (moderate confidence). Use online tracking tools to monitor your progress, as this helped participants in the program stay motivated (moderate confidence). Focus on three areas: moving your body more, eating balanced meals, and taking care of your mental health (moderate confidence). Set a specific, measurable goal for yourself, similar to how the community set the 1 million pound target (moderate confidence).
This research is most relevant for people who want to lose weight and live in communities with organized health programs. It’s also important for health organizations, schools, employers, and government agencies looking to improve community health. People who are isolated or lack community support may need additional resources beyond what this program offers. The program appears to work best for people who are motivated and have access to internet-based tools.
Based on this program, expect to see initial results within 3-6 months of consistent participation. The most significant health improvements (reaching a healthy weight range) took 1-4 years. However, individual timelines vary greatly depending on starting weight, activity level, and diet changes. Consistency matters more than speed—the program’s success came from sustained participation over years, not quick fixes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Use the app to log your weight weekly on the same day and time each week. Track the total pounds lost over months and quarters, similar to how the program measured progress. Set a specific weight loss goal (for example, 20 pounds in 6 months) and monitor your progress toward it.
- Join or create a community challenge within the app where you and friends, family, or coworkers can see collective progress toward a shared goal. Use the app to log physical activity minutes, meals eaten, and mood/stress levels to track all three pillars of the program (exercise, diet, mental health). Celebrate milestones together through the app’s social features.
- Check your weight trend monthly rather than daily to avoid discouragement from normal fluctuations. Use the app’s progress charts to visualize your journey over 3-6 month periods. Share your progress with an accountability partner through the app. Review your activity and eating patterns quarterly to identify what’s working and what needs adjustment.
This research describes a real community program and its results, but individual outcomes vary significantly. Weight loss and health improvements depend on many personal factors including starting weight, genetics, overall health, and commitment level. Before starting any weight loss program, consult with your doctor, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have a history of eating disorders. This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. The program’s success in Maryland does not guarantee similar results in other communities or for all individuals.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.