Healthy Eating, Activity and Reduction of Teen Stress
Condition: Overweight and Obesity; Overweight Adolescents; Emotional Stress; Stress, Psychological; Eating Behavior
MeSH terms: Overweight; Stress, Psychological
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The goal of this study is to develop and pilot test a telehealth behavioral weight control
      intervention for adolescents from a low-income background that combines facets of mindfulness
      training with behavioral weight control. We aim to examine biological (e.g., weight) and
      behavioral (e.g., emotional eating, mindfulness) changes as a result of a 12-session
      mindfulness-based weight control intervention compared to a 12-session standard behavioral
      weight control intervention.
    

Detailed description: 
      The overarching aim of this study is to pilot and refine a novel Mindfulness-Based Weight
      Control (MBWC) intervention to improve weight management outcomes among adolescents (ages
      13-18) who are overweight or obese and from a low-income background. First, we will pilot
      (open-trial) the MBWC intervention, with a focus on decreasing emotional eating, in an
      adolescent population. Second, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial of the 12-week
      MBWC intervention vs. a 12-week standard behavioral weight control intervention among
      adolescents who are overweight or obese and compare outcomes of the MBWC and control
      interventions. All components of this telehealth intervention will be delivered via
      HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing software. We are interested in examining change in
      biological and behavioral variables (e.g., body mass index normed for age and biological sex;
      perceived stress; eating and activity patterns; psychological function related to weight
      management) post-intervention and at three-month follow-up. Treatment satisfaction/treatment
      acceptability will be evaluated at the end of treatment.
    

Intervention name(s): Mindfulness-Based Weight Control (MBWC); Standard Behavioral Weight Control (SBWC)
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Mindfulness-Based Weight Control will be administered over 12 group-based sessions with weekly home practice (e.g., mindfulness exercises, dietary self-monitoring, physical activity). All components of this telehealth intervention will be delivered via HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing software. Sessions will include BWC and mindfulness components. BWC components include: 1) a dietary plan based on a balanced, caloric deficit diet; 2) increasing physical activity; 3) behavioral components (e.g., self-monitoring, goal setting); and 4) minimal parent involvement (i.e., 3 parent sessions). Participants will be taught core mindfulness exercises (e.g., breath-awareness, body scan, mindful eating) while focusing attention on the present moment and non-judgmentally acknowledging thoughts, emotions, or sensations. Participants will learn informal mindful strategies for daily living, which are designed to increase awareness of emotions and their relation to emotional eating.; Standard Behavioral Weight Control will be administered over 12 group-based sessions with weekly home activities (dietary self-monitoring, physical activity). All components of this telehealth intervention will be delivered via HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing software. Group sessions will include SBWC component, including: 1) a balanced, caloric deficit diet; 2) incrementally increasing physical activity; 3) behavioral components (e.g., self-monitoring, goal setting, motivation, problem-solving, etc.); and 4) minimal parent involvement (i.e., 3 parent sessions).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: During the open trial, all participants will receive Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Weight Control (MBWC). During the RCT, participants will be randomly assigned to either MBWC or Standard Behavioral Weight Control.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Emotional Eating; Low-income; Mindfulness; Adolescent; Obesity; Weight Management; Stress; Pediatric