Turtle Island Tales for Childhood Obesity

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Montana State University

Disqualifiers: Residence outside poverty tracts, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 months

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Turtle Island Tales for childhood obesity?

The research suggests that treatments involving family engagement, education, and behavior change, like those in weight loss camps, have shown significant weight reduction in children. These programs, which include components such as controlled diet and cognitive-behavioral therapy, have been more effective than standard outpatient treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Turtle Island Tales safe for use in humans?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data for Turtle Island Tales or similar narrative-based interventions for childhood obesity. Therefore, there is no relevant safety information available from these sources. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How is the Turtle Island Tales treatment different from other treatments for childhood obesity?

Turtle Island Tales is unique because it uses a narrative approach, involving a children's book and workbook, to address childhood obesity by increasing awareness and reducing stigma, especially in underserved communities. This method focuses on storytelling to make discussions about obesity more comfortable, unlike traditional treatments that may focus solely on diet and exercise. ^{6 7 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Reach Through Equitable Implementation of Turtle Island Tales is a family-level obesity prevention intervention that aims to reinforce AI cultural values of family interaction and holistic wellness. The long-term objective of this research program is to increase the reach of existing evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for cancer and obesity prevention among American Indian (AI) families who live in persistent poverty census tracts.

Research Team

Emily Tomayko, PhD

Principal Investigator

Montana State University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for American Indian families living in areas of persistent poverty, focusing on preventing obesity and related cancer risks. It aims to strengthen cultural values around family interaction and holistic wellness.

Inclusion Criteria

Residence in one of identified persistent poverty census tracts

Exclusion Criteria

Residence outside of identified persistent poverty census tracts

I do not have children aged 3-8 years living with me.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive monthly lessons targeting healthy behaviors over the course of one year

12 months

Monthly lessons

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for effectiveness in behavioral outcomes using program evaluation survey data

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Turtle Island Tales

Trial Overview The intervention being studied is Turtle Island Tales, a program designed to promote healthy behaviors within AI families to prevent obesity and reduce the risk of cancer through culturally relevant methods.

Participant Groups

Group I: Turtle Island Tales Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participating families will receive a monthly lesson targeting a healthy behavior (increase fruit/vegetable intake, decrease added sugar intake, increase physical activity, decrease sedentary/screen time, promote healthy sleep, and promote emotional regulation) over the course of one year.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Montana State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

47

Recruited

1,044,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

University of Utah

Collaborator

Trials

1,169

Recruited

1,623,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Findings from Research

A patient-centered decision tool was developed to help address childhood obesity by identifying common goals between parents and healthcare providers, based on qualitative interviews with 44 parents and focus groups with 81 participants.

The tool, which includes a modified growth chart and sections for discussing patient-centered goals, was found to be acceptable and potentially useful, highlighting the importance of engaging families in obesity interventions for Latino children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing a patient-centered outcome for targeting early childhood obesity across multiple stakeholders. Foster, BA., Winkler, P., Weinstein, K., et al.[2022]

A comprehensive educational approach that involves both the child and their family is essential for effectively managing obesity in children, emphasizing the importance of motivational interviewing and parental involvement.

Long-term success in obesity care requires a flexible, step-by-step follow-up plan that allows for ongoing negotiation of goals between caregivers, the child, and their family, ensuring that management strategies are tailored to the child's specific situation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[PRIMARY CARE INTERVENTIONS FOR PEDIATRIC OVERWEIGHT OR OBESITY]. Jouret, B., Haupp, A.[2018]

A systematic review of 22 studies on weight loss camps for obese children showed that these immersion programs resulted in significantly greater weight loss compared to standard outpatient treatments, with an average of 191% greater reductions in percent-overweight immediately after treatment.

Programs that included cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrated even more impressive results, with a 30% reduction in percent-overweight at follow-up, compared to just 9% for programs without CBT, suggesting that the combination of structured environment and behavioral support is highly effective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immersion treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity: the first review of a promising intervention. Kelly, KP., Kirschenbaum, DS.[2022]

A community-based obesity treatment program for children aged 6-15 years led to significant short-term improvements in weight-related measures, including a decrease in BMI by 0.65 kg/m² and waist circumference by 1.8 cm, among 2,812 participants.

Children who attended at least 75% of the program showed greater benefits in BMI reduction, self-esteem, and healthier dietary choices, highlighting the importance of program adherence for achieving positive outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Translational research: are community-based child obesity treatment programs scalable? Hardy, LL., Mihrshahi, S., Gale, J., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing a patient-centered outcome for targeting early childhood obesity across multiple stakeholders. [2022]

2. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[PRIMARY CARE INTERVENTIONS FOR PEDIATRIC OVERWEIGHT OR OBESITY]. [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immersion treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity: the first review of a promising intervention. [2022]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Favourable short-term effects of a multidisciplinary, behavioural therapy, group treatment for overweight or obese children]. [2007]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interaction and influence of child and family characteristics upon success of weight management treatment. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Use of Narrative as a Treatment Approach for Obesity: A Storied Educational Program Description. [2019]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Process evaluation of an up-scaled community based child obesity treatment program: NSW Go4Fun®. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Translational research: are community-based child obesity treatment programs scalable? [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthier options for public schoolchildren program improves weight and blood pressure in 6- to 13-year-olds. [2015]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Children's Health and Activity Modification Program (C.H.A.M.P.): participants' perspectives of a four-week lifestyle intervention for children with obesity. [2014]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group therapy of obesity in children and youth (author's transl)]. [2006]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current clinical research on type 2 diabetes and its prevention in youth. [2007]