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

1200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study tests the effectiveness of parent and family oriented support interventions that are designed to help with weight loss among African American families. Obesity tends to run in families, thus family based interventions, with parents as main change agents have been strongly recommended. The parent and family oriented support Interventions may help facilitate weight loss among African American families.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

Is family support intervention for weight loss safe for African American families?

Family-based weight loss interventions, which involve parents and children working together, are generally considered safe. Participants in these programs have reported that they find the activities and support helpful, although some logistical challenges exist. No specific safety concerns have been highlighted in the studies reviewed. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Parent and Family Oriented Support Interventions treatment different from other weight loss treatments for African American families?

This treatment is unique because it involves the whole family, focusing on parents as key supporters in the weight loss process, which can lead to additional benefits like improved social and cognitive factors. Unlike other treatments that may focus solely on the individual, this approach aims to create a supportive family environment to enhance motivation and retention in weight loss programs. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Parent and Family Oriented Support Interventions, Family-Based Weight Loss Interventions, Parental Support Interventions for Obesity?

Research shows that family-based approaches, where parents are actively involved in treating childhood obesity, are more effective in achieving weight loss compared to programs focusing only on children. These interventions also tend to have lower dropout rates, indicating better engagement and potential success. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

Citations

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

Impact of treatment for childhood obesity on parental risk factors for cardiovascular disease. [2016]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-focused physical activity, diet and obesity interventions in African-American girls: a systematic review. [2022]

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

Parent skills training to enhance weight loss in overweight children: evaluation of NOURISH. [2022]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of childhood obesity in obese families. [2020]

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

Family-based interventions for pediatric obesity: methodological and conceptual challenges from family psychology. [2006]

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

Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Weight Loss Trial for Urban African American Adolescents and Caregivers. [2023]

7. England 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. [2022]