Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment for Childhood Obesity

(Healthy LIFT Trial)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia

Must not be taking: Appetite suppressants

Disqualifiers: Developmental disorder, Eating disorder, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 24 weeks

10 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new approach to help teenagers and their caregivers manage obesity by focusing on changing health behaviors and lifestyle. The treatment, called Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment, involves group sessions targeting dietary habits, physical activity, and psychological well-being, using strategies from social and family systems theories. It is specifically designed for teens aged 13-17 with a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight range and their primary caregivers. Participants will engage in these group sessions and complete assessments before and after the treatment to evaluate its impact on their health and lifestyle. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could shape future obesity treatments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants have not been taking prescribed medications that impact appetite or weight for the prior three months. If you are currently on such medications, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this treatment is safe for youth with obesity?

Research shows that intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatments (IHBLT) for children with obesity are generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that these programs help children by focusing on better eating, more physical activity, and healthier habits overall. Strong evidence of serious side effects from these treatments is lacking. These programs involve both the child and their family, aiming to improve health habits without causing harm. Prospective participants can feel reassured about the treatment's safety based on existing evidence. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment (IHLBT) for childhood obesity because it takes a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional methods like diet and exercise plans. Unlike standard treatments that often focus on isolated aspects of weight loss, IHLBT integrates personalized coaching, behavioral strategies, and lifestyle modifications tailored specifically for children and their families. This holistic method aims to tackle obesity by addressing underlying habits and promoting sustainable lifestyle changes, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes for kids struggling with obesity.

What evidence suggests that this treatment might be an effective treatment for childhood obesity?

Research has shown that intensive programs focusing on health habits and lifestyle changes can effectively manage childhood obesity. In this trial, participants will receive Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment (IHLBT), which aims for similar outcomes. Studies indicate that children in such programs often lose weight and improve their overall health. Specifically, one study found that children who participated experienced a significant drop in their BMI (body mass index) percentile compared to those who did not join. Programs involving the whole family, including caregivers, have also successfully helped children manage their weight. Overall, these treatments focus on the child and involve the family, leading to better long-term health for children who are overweight or obese. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Crystal Lim, PhD, ABPP

Principal Investigator

University of Missouri-Columbia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for youth aged 13 to 17 with overweight or obesity and their primary caregivers. Participants will be involved in a six-month family-focused group program aimed at improving health behaviors and lifestyle, with an emphasis on executive functioning skills.

Inclusion Criteria

Participating caregiver must be the participating youth's legal guardian

I am between 13 and 17 years old.

Participating youth and caregiver speak and read English

Exclusion Criteria

I've been in a weight loss program or on appetite/weight affecting meds for 3 months.

Both youth and caregiver scores are two standard deviations or above the mean on the CPT-3 Commissions and Stroop Interference, representing significantly higher than average EF skills.

I have a history of an eating disorder or severe depression that hasn't been treated.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Families receive six months of evidence-based family focused group intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT)

24 weeks

Regular group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment

Trial Overview The study tests the effects of intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT) on executive functioning, weight status, diet, physical activity, and psychological well-being in young people with obesity and their caregivers.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: IHLBT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

intensive health behavior and lifestlye treatment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Missouri-Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

629,000+

Citations

1. pcori.org pcori.org/research-results/2023/comparing-effectiveness-intensive-health-behavior-and-lifestyle-treatment-interventions-among-children-obesity

Comparing the Effectiveness of Intensive Health Behavior ... This study compares the effectiveness of five different doses of intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment among children with ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12569496/

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Family-Based Lifestyle ... Previous studies have found that eHealth behavior interventions can be effective for childhood obesity management, with technology-based ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833516

Parenting Training Plus Behavioral Treatment for Children ... The findings suggest that FBT reduces weight status in children with overweight or obesity but that additional intensive PT does not further improve outcomes.

4. publications.aap.org publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/151/2/e2022060640/190443/Clinical-Practice-Guideline-for-the-Evaluation-and

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and ... Children with overweight and obesity benefit from health behavior and lifestyle treatment, which is a child-focused, family-centered, ...

5. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-025-02420-x

Two-Year Outcomes for the Active and Healthy Families ... In this mixed methods study, the Baltimore AHF intervention participants had a greater reduction in their BMI percentile compared to those in ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11535457/

Change in Weight Status Among Children Who Do and ... This analysis examined change in weight status between children who received usual care from their PCP and those who received one of two structured weight ...

7. cdc.gov cdc.gov/family-healthy-weight/php/public-health-strategy/index.html

Strategies for Family Healthy Weight Programs FHWPs are intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment programs focused on nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change strategies.