Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care for Obesity

(ABC Initiative Trial)

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Corinne McMahon, MS, RDN, LD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine

Disqualifiers: No obesity, Not on Medicaid, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

6200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to identify the best approach for providing obesity care in community health centers. It compares two training methods for healthcare providers to determine which leads to greater weight loss and improved care for patients. The trial will also examine the frequency of treatment use by patients and the long-term adoption of these methods by healthcare providers. This trial suits Medicaid patients with obesity who visit participating clinics. As an unphased trial, it allows patients to contribute to innovative obesity care strategies that could enhance future healthcare practices.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that these training approaches are safe for obesity care?

Research has shown that a well-rounded approach to obesity care is generally safe and effective. This method trains healthcare providers to follow established guidelines for treating obesity. Studies have found that these programs can lead to significant weight loss without major safety issues. For example, participants in these programs lost between 5.9% and 9.8% of their body weight. However, some side effects, similar to those from weight loss medications, might occur. These side effects are usually mild and manageable. Overall, evidence suggests that this treatment is safe for most people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care (CMOC) approach because it offers a holistic and tailored strategy for managing obesity. Unlike standard treatments that often focus on just diet or exercise, CMOC integrates multiple disciplines, combining nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral therapy into one cohesive program. This comprehensive method aims to provide a more sustainable and personalized plan for individuals struggling with obesity, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes. Additionally, the CMOC training for healthcare providers at Federally Qualified Health Centers could enhance the quality and consistency of care, making effective obesity management more accessible to diverse populations.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for obesity?

This trial will compare two approaches to obesity care. Participants in the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care (CMOC) arm will receive a team-based approach to treating obesity, which research has shown can help people lose more weight. Studies have found that when health professionals like doctors and dietitians work together, people manage their weight better. This method also helps people adhere to their obesity medications longer. Overall, this approach is effective because it addresses various aspects of lifestyle and health, providing a well-rounded way to tackle obesity. Meanwhile, the Implementation as Usual Control (IAUC) arm will follow standard practices, with the option to receive CMOC training after the trial. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Denise Wilfley, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Washington University School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals dealing with obesity, including childhood obesity. It's being conducted in Federally Qualified Health Centers and aims to help patients achieve significant weight loss and improve their overall health by comparing two different training approaches for obesity care.

Inclusion Criteria

Provider Trainees must be PCPs, BHPs, RDNs, or CHWs who work at participating clinics

RDNs eligible to participate must be Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

CHWs eligible to participate must be board certified Community Health Workers in the state of Missouri

Exclusion Criteria

I am not on Medicaid.

My child is under 5 years old.

Provider Trainees not at a participating clinic

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Provider Trainees receive either CMOC or IAUC Training during the 12-month training period

12 months

Sustainability

A 12-month sustainability period following the training phase

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in patient percent overweight and other outcomes

5 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care
• Implementation as Usual Control

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care against a control group receiving standard implementation. It will measure patient weight change, treatment utilization, provider referrals to recommended care, competency changes in providers, and compare costs of both approaches.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CMOC Active Control 1 Intervention

The Provider Trainees at the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) assigned to the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care (CMOC) condition will receive the CMOC Training during the12-month training period (months 0-12) of the trial, followed by a 12-month (month 13-24) sustainability period.

Group II: IAUC Active Control 2 Interventions

The Provider Trainees at the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the implementation as usual control (IAUC) condition will receive the IAUC Training during the12-month training period (months 0-12) of the trial, followed by a 12-month (month 13-24) sustainability period. Following the 12-month sustainability period, Provider Trainees will be offered the CMOC Training.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Washington University School of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,027

Recruited

2,353,000+

Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City

Collaborator

Trials

261

Recruited

941,000+

University of Missouri, Kansas City

Collaborator

Trials

73

Recruited

34,600+

University of Missouri-Columbia

Collaborator

Trials

387

Recruited

629,000+

Missouri Institute of Mental Health

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

200+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials

2,513

Recruited

4,366,000+

The Missouri Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division, Office of Transformation

Collaborator

Citations

1. healio.com healio.com/news/endocrinology/20251105/multidisciplinary-comprehensive-obesity-care-model-boosts-weight-loss-medication-persistence

Multidisciplinary comprehensive obesity care model boosts ... The primary outcomes were percent total weight loss, fat-free mass loss with obesity medications in those with body composition data and ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12194354/

Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Treatment Program for ... Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary treatment program for obesity (MTPO) offered to adults ...

3. healthcare-bulletin.co.uk healthcare-bulletin.co.uk/article/systematic-review-managing-obesity-with-multidisciplinary-approaches-2671/

Managing Obesity with Multidisciplinary Approaches This systematic review synthesized evidence from 30 studies to assess the effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches for managing obesity.

4. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.24340

Evolution of multidisciplinary obesity treatments: past ... Obesity is a complex chronic disease requiring lifelong comprehensive treatment. In addition to lifestyle counseling that improves nutrition and ...

5. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11695-025-07813-9

A Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Metabolic Center to ... Increasing efficiency in obesity treatment is crucial to improving financial and clinical outcomes.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07049861

Advancing Biopsychosocial Care Training Initiative CMOC involves training providers (medical providers, registered dietitians, and behavioral health providers) to deliver guideline-based obesity care for youth ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5687103/

Multidisciplinary Team–Based Obesity Treatment in ... For patients with diabetes, clinical trials have shown that bariatric surgery can lead to greater weight loss and greater improvement in diabetes than intensive ...

8. jacc.org jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.05.024

2025 Concise Clinical Guidance: An ACC Expert ... Each of these is limited by modest weight loss (5.9%–9.8%), side effects, and a lack of outcome data related to CVD. Third-generation weight loss medications ...