Problematic Decision-Making and Adolescent Weight Loss

NCT04848532 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2005007834
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 63
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the associations between baseline decision-making processes, engagement in problematic dietary practices, and post-intervention weight loss outcomes among adolescents. Results from the study will provide specific direction for what components should comprise future decision-making interventions for adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Conditions

Overweight Adolescents; Overweight or Obesity; Impulsive Behavior; Overeating

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Percent of 95 percentile BMI

  16 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Adolescent-specific behavioral weight loss treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Weight loss treatment

Interventions

Weight loss treatment BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will consist of group-based, weekly or biweekly weight loss coaching (75 minutes per session), which will occur via Zoom videoconferencing software. This intervention is designed to facilitate a 5-10% weight loss and engagement in up to 250 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, which is the standard recommendation in lifestyle modification programs for adolescents. Participants will also be asked to download and utilize the smartphone app, Fitbit, to track eating behavior. Weight loss coaches will be experts in lifestyle modification who have graduate degrees in psychology or a related field. Participants will be given guidance on how to reduce your calorie intake (using a balanced deficit diet) and gradually increase your physical activity. Participants will learn to set goals for diet, weight, and physical activity.

Also known as: Lifestyle modification

Adolescent-specific behavioral weight loss treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Are between 14 and 18 years of age
• Have a BMI between the 85th and 99th percentiles for sex and age as determined by the CDC growth charts
• Are currently living at home with a parent or guardian
• Have at least one parent or guardian who is willing to participate in the study
• Are willing to complete baseline assessment tasks
• Have a smartphone, are willing to download an app to track food intake and complete surveys on the phone for two seven-day periods throughout the course of the study, and are willing to wear a fitness tracker during these same two week-long periods
• Are located in the US and wiling/able to participate in remote intervention and assessments

You may not qualify if:

• Acute suicide risk
• Inability to engage in physical activity (defined as walking two city blocks without stopping)
• Have diabetes or a history of bariatric surgery
• Current medical or psychiatric condition that may pose a risk to the participant during intervention, cause a change in weight, or limit ability to comply with the program (i.e., bulimia nervosa, substance abuse disorder, psychosis, bipolar I disorder, and/or any condition prohibiting physical activity)
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 2 years
• Recently began or changed the dose of a medication that can cause significant change in weight
• Have experienced weight loss ≥ 5% in the previous 6 months
• Are planning to begin in the next 16 months, or are currently participating in, another weight loss treatment or psychotherapy for binge eating and/or weight loss
• Are engaging in compensatory vomiting, other severe compensatory behaviors, or more than 12 of any compensatory behaviors in the previous 3 months
• Are currently taking medication (e.g., Contrave, Alli, etc.) which is specifically intended for weight loss

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Drexel University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Overweight; Obesity; Impulsive Behavior; Hyperphagia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Study Officials

• Stephanie Manasse, Ph.D.

  Drexel University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 17, 2021
• First Posted: April 19, 2021
• Study Start: February 3, 2021
• Primary Completion: October 15, 2024
• Study Completion: April 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 13, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

US (1)