Family Support Interventions for Weight Loss in African American Families

Overseen By Lorna McNeill

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Exercise contraindications

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to test the effectiveness of family support in helping African American families lose weight. It focuses on involving parents as the main agents of change, using tools like coaching sessions, resource navigation, and support groups. Researchers will divide participants into three groups, with some receiving coaching and support sessions and others receiving educational materials. This study is ideal for African American or Hispanic parents or caregivers who are overweight, live with a child aged 8-17, and are not currently in a weight management program. As an unphased trial, this study offers families a unique opportunity to actively participate in innovative weight loss strategies.

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 prior data suggests that these family support interventions are safe for weight loss in African American families?

Research has shown that family-based programs for managing weight can be safe and effective. Studies have found that these programs help reduce Body Mass Index (BMI) in children and teens without causing serious harm. For instance, one review highlighted that involving families in obesity programs encourages healthier eating and more physical activity among African American families.

Another study found that when parents and children work together on losing weight, they inspire each other to make positive changes. Although Black families might face challenges in sticking with weight management programs, the programs themselves are generally well-received. Overall, family-focused support programs appear to be a safe choice for families wanting to manage weight together. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these family support interventions for weight loss in African American families because they focus on strengthening family and community ties, something current treatments often overlook. Unlike traditional methods that primarily target individual lifestyle changes, these interventions involve parents and caregivers in active roles, promoting a supportive environment through health coaching, resource navigation, and support groups. By engaging entire families and leveraging community structures like churches, this approach aims to create sustainable, long-term health changes that are culturally relevant and community-driven.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for weight loss in African American families?

Research shows that involving families can help children lose weight. This trial will place participants in different groups to evaluate the effectiveness of family support interventions. Group I and Group II will have families attend monthly health coaching sessions, resource navigation sessions, and support groups. Studies have found that when parents participate in diet and exercise programs, children tend to achieve better weight outcomes. One study found that both family-focused and parent-only programs can effectively support weight loss in children. However, some evidence suggests that focusing only on parents might not suffice, and broader public health efforts could be necessary. Overall, including parents and families in weight loss programs seems promising, but it might need to be part of a larger plan. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lorna McNeill

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for African American families where a parent or caregiver and a child aged 10-16, living together, want to participate in weight loss interventions. The adult must be obese (BMI ≥30), not in other weight programs, and able to speak English. Pregnant individuals or those planning pregnancy during the study are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

PARENT/CAREGIVER: Self-identify as black or African American

I am a parent or caregiver aged between 18 and 65.

I am a parent/caregiver and my BMI is 30 or higher.

Exclusion Criteria

PARENT/CAREGIVER: They present any contraindications for exercise based on responses to the PA Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

PARENT/CAREGIVER: They are currently pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant during the study period

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Parents/caregivers and families attend monthly health coaching sessions, resource navigation sessions, and support groups over 12 months

12 months

Monthly visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for weight loss, BMI changes, and other health metrics

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Parent and Family Oriented Support Interventions

Trial Overview

The study examines if educational activities, informational sessions, questionnaires, and support group therapy can help with family-oriented weight loss among African Americans. It focuses on parents as key agents of change within the family setting.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group II (coaching session, navigation session, support group) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Families whose churches are randomized to Group II, attend monthly health coaching sessions over 1 hour each for 12 months, 9 resource navigation sessions over 12 months, and monthly support groups for 12 months.

Group II: Group I (coaching session, navigation session, support group) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Parents/caregivers whose churches are randomized to Group I, attend monthly health coaching sessions over 1 hour each for 12 months, 9 resource navigation sessions over 12 months, and monthly support groups for 12 months.

Group III: Group III (educational handbook) Active Control 2 Interventions

Families whose churches are randomized to Group III, receive an educational handbook on cancer prevention.

Parent and Family Oriented Support Interventions is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Parent and Family Oriented Support Interventions for:

• Weight Loss in African American Families
• Obesity Prevention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Family involvement in obesity interventions for African-American girls aged 5-18 shows promise, but the effects on weight-related behaviors and outcomes were often non-significant across 27 studies reviewed.

There is a need for more targeted study designs that compare different types and levels of family involvement, as well as incorporating theoretical perspectives specific to African-American family dynamics, to enhance the effectiveness of these interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-focused physical activity, diet and obesity interventions in African-American girls: a systematic review. Barr-Anderson, DJ., Adams-Wynn, AW., DiSantis, KI., et al.[2022]

A 3-month family-based intervention for obese children from obese families resulted in significant weight loss and improved BMI percentiles compared to a control group, highlighting the efficacy of targeted interventions in this population.

The intervention also successfully reduced screen time and improved fitness levels, indicating that a combined approach addressing dietary, behavioral, and physical activity factors can lead to positive health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of childhood obesity in obese families. Nemet, D., Barzilay-Teeni, N., Eliakim, A.[2020]

A study involving 136 African American adolescents and their caregivers found that most participants found the family-based weight loss intervention helpful, particularly in terms of program practices and content.

Despite overall satisfaction, participants highlighted challenges with session logistics and expressed a desire for more engaging, tailored content, including exercise sessions and skills-based learning, indicating areas for improvement in future interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Weight Loss Trial for Urban African American Adolescents and Caregivers. Campbell-Voytal, K., Hartlieb, KB., Cunningham, PB., et al.[2023]

The NOURISH intervention, which focuses on educating and involving parents, led to significant reductions in child BMI among overweight African American children, indicating its effectiveness in addressing pediatric obesity.

Parents reported high satisfaction with the NOURISH program, with 91% agreeing it helped them adopt healthier eating habits, suggesting that parental involvement is crucial in obesity treatment strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent skills training to enhance weight loss in overweight children: evaluation of NOURISH. Mazzeo, SE., Kelly, NR., Stern, M., et al.[2022]

The review analyzed 31 family-based interventions for pediatric obesity, categorizing them into four types based on their focus on parent behaviors and assessment of child outcomes.

The authors suggest that current interventions could benefit from a broader focus on family dynamics and parenting skills, as this may enhance the effectiveness of obesity treatment in children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-based interventions for pediatric obesity: methodological and conceptual challenges from family psychology. Kitzmann, KM., Beech, BM.[2006]

A family-based weight-loss intervention for underserved African American families revealed significant secondary benefits, particularly in cognitive outcomes like self-regulation and goal-setting, as reported by both adolescents and parents.

Parents highlighted social benefits such as family support and communication, while adolescents focused on positive family interactions, indicating that these programs can enhance overall well-being beyond just weight loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Secondary benefits of the families improving together (FIT) for weight loss trial on cognitive and social factors in African American adolescents. Sweeney, AM., Wilson, DK., Loncar, H., et al.[2022]

A study involving 60 obese children aged 6-11 years showed that a family-based approach, where parents were the sole agents of change, was more effective in reducing parental overweight compared to a program focused only on children.

This parent-targeted intervention also led to improved cardiovascular risk factors for both parents and children, highlighting the benefits of involving parents in obesity treatment programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of treatment for childhood obesity on parental risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Golan, M., Weizman, A., Fainaru, M.[2016]

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