Reducing Barriers to Behavior Change Among Youth With Pediatric Overweight and Obesity

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to examine the extent to which two different reward systems implemented in the context of a multi-family pediatric weight management group differentially promote adoption of healthy eating and activity habits among overweight and obese 8-17 year old youth. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two reward conditions: rewards for attendance only or rewards for attendance and goal attainment. We hypothesize that all participants will demonstrate significant increases in healthy nutritional choices and physical activity and significant reductions in sedentary activity from pre-intervention to post intervention. We expect that participants in attendance plus goal attainment reward condition will demonstrate significantly greater improvements than participants in the attendance only condition.

Detailed Description
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Pediatric overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns, and group based interventions incorporating behavioral, nutrition, and activity disciplines have showed modest success in improving youth health and weight status. The role of financial rewards in encouraging attendance at weight management sessions and acquisition of healthy eating and activity habits is not well understood in the context of pediatric weight management, however. Behavior theory suggests that positive reinforcement can increase the frequency of desirable behaviors. As such, the primary goal of the study is to evaluate the role of different reinforcement systems in increasing healthy nutritional choices, increasing physical activity, and decreasing sedentary activity among youth participating in a multifamily group based pediatric overweight/obesity intervention program. An additional aim of the study is to evaluate the role of different levels of rewards in decreasing BMI among youth participating in a multifamily group based pediatric overweight/obesity intervention program. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two different reward conditions: Condition A (rewards for attendance only) and Condition A+G (rewards for attendance and goal attainment). Up to 80 participants will be recruited to participate. Eligibility criteria include patient age 8-17 years, patient with public insurance managed by Children's Community Health Network, English speaking patient and parent, and patient body mass index at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex. Exclusion criteria include: significant patient developmental or cognitive delay, or concurrent involvement in another formal weight management program. Pre and post intervention assessments of anthropometric, psychosocial, nutritional, and physical fitness variables will be conducted, and participants will complete 8 weekly multi-family group-based weight management intervention sessions involving psychology, physical therapy, and dietitian disciplines. Following this intensive phase, families will follow up on a quarterly basis for one year. Families will receive financial rewards for attending program sessions (Conditions A and A+G) and for completing behavioral monitoring assignments (Condition A+G).

Official Title
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Reducing Barriers to Behavior Change Among Youth With Pediatric Overweight and Obesity

Conditions
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Pediatric Obesity, Pediatric Overweight

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Multifamily weight management intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: patient age 8-17 years patient with public insurance managed by Children's Community Health Network English speaking patient and parent patient body mass index at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex parent or legal guardian willing to participate Exclusion Criteria: significant patient developmental or cognitive delay concurrent involvement in another formal weight management program.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: 1<br>Multifamily group weight management intervention plus rewards for program attendance | Behavioral: Multifamily weight management intervention<br>* 8 week multifamily group weight management intervention incorporating behavioral health, nutrition, and activity disciplines.<br>|
| Active Comparator: 2<br>Multifamily group weight management intervention plus rewards for attendance and goal attainment | Behavioral: Multifamily weight management intervention<br>* 8 week multifamily group weight management intervention incorporating behavioral health, nutrition, and activity disciplines.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| dietary habits |  | pre, post, quarterly follow ups | 
| physical and sedentary activity |  | pre, post, quarterly follow ups | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| body mass index |  | pre, post, quarterly follow ups | 
| participant satisfaction |  | post intevention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pediatric obesity, pediatric overweight, multi-family group weight management intervention, financial rewards