Lifestyle Counseling + Medication for Childhood Obesity
(QUEST Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial compares two treatments for adolescents with severe obesity. One group receives many counseling sessions to help change their habits, while the other group receives fewer sessions but also takes a medication to help control their appetite. The medication has been shown to promote weight loss by suppressing appetite and controlling eating habits.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you have used anti-obesity medications in the last 6 months.
Is the treatment of lifestyle counseling and medication for childhood obesity safe?
The safety of medications like liraglutide (Saxenda) for obesity has been evaluated, and while they are approved for use, they come with potential side effects. Regulatory agencies like the FDA require safety trials and monitor for serious side effects, such as cardiovascular issues, to ensure these medications are safe for use.12345
How does the drug used in the Lifestyle Counseling + Medication for Childhood Obesity trial differ from other treatments for childhood obesity?
This treatment combines lifestyle counseling with newer anti-obesity medications that have shown more significant weight loss results (5-18% improvement) compared to traditional methods, which typically achieve only 1-3% improvement. These medications are part of a newer class of drugs that are not yet widely used in children, offering a novel approach to managing childhood obesity.16789
What data supports the effectiveness of the drug treatment for childhood obesity?
Who Is on the Research Team?
Aaron Kelly, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Minnesota
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Adolescents aged 12 to less than 18 with severe obesity, defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for their age. They must not have diabetes, recent use of anti-obesity drugs, past bariatric surgery, certain psychiatric conditions, or be pregnant among other exclusions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intensive Behavioral Program
Participants receive 52 weeks of intensive behavioral therapy, with 52 contact hours (50% in person and 50% virtual)
Medication Arm
Participants receive semaglutide and 12 monthly sessions of behavioral therapy (50% in person and 50% virtual)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Intensive Behavioral Program
- Liraglutide
- Semaglutide
Intensive Behavioral Program is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan for the following indications:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic obesity in adults and adolescents aged 12-17 years
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic obesity
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Minnesota
Lead Sponsor