Addressing Emotional and Cognitive Factors in Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Behavioral weight loss, the current treatment of choice for moderate obesity, achieves impressive short term results, however, weight regain following treatment is a major problem. Over 50% of participants in behavioral weight loss programs report difficulty with internal antecedents to unhealthy weight control behaviors and this difficulty is associated with weight regain following treatment. Current treatment approaches do not adequately address these antecedents. The aim of this series of studies is to develop, implement, and evaluate a behavioral weight loss program modified to provide participants with skills to deal effectively with affective and cognitive difficulties. The study targets men and women with BMI of 27-40 who self-report difficulty with emotional and/or cognitive antecedents to unhealthy weight control behaviors. The study is an uncontrolled pilot study in 20 participants to initially assess acceptability and efficacy of the innovative treatment. The long-term goal of this research is to improve the weight loss maintenance outcomes of behavioral weight loss programs by addressing affective and cognitive antecedents to unhealthy weight control behaviors.

Official Title
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Addressing Emotional and Cognitive Factors in Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment

Conditions
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Overweight, Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Affective and Cognitive Skills Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age between 21 and 70 years Body mass index between 27 and 40 Score 5 or above on the internal disinhibition scale of the Eating Inventory Exclusion Criteria: Are currently participating in a weight loss program and/or are taking a weight loss medication or lost greater than or equal to 5% of body weight during the past six months Are pregnant, lactating, less than 6 months postpartum or plan to become pregnant during the time frame of the investigation Report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Individuals endorsing joint problems, prescription medication usage, or other medical conditions that could limit exercise will be required to obtain written physician consent to participate.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 70 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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Affective and Cognitive Skills Training<br>Standard Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment Plus Affective and Cognitive Skills Training | Behavioral: Affective and Cognitive Skills Training<br>* 24-week, weekly, group behavioral weight loss treatment with affective and cognitive skills training<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body Mass Index |  | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Internal disinhibition as measured by the Eating Inventory | The internal disinhibition subscale of the Eating Inventory ranges from 0 to 8, with high values indicating more disinhibition. | 6 months | 
| Treatment acceptability based on qualitative feedback |  | 6 months | 
| Attendance data |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Behavioral weight loss