Cooking and Nutrition Education for Obesity
(TKMT Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+4 other locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Stay on Your Current Meds

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This TK-MT is an interactive year-long program that teaches culinary skills, nutrition education, mindfulness, and stress reduction, promotes movement, and optimizes behavior change through health coaching strategies. The purpose of this study is to test whether a referral-based teaching kitchen intervention offered for 12 months in adjunct to primary care obesity management is feasible, acceptable, and effective on improving health behaviors and obesity prevention. Specifically, the primary goal of the study is to provide evidence of improved behavior change (ex: increases in cooking at home, fruit and vegetable intake, exercise, sleep, mindful activities), improved lab values (ex: fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.), and resulting change in body weight and waist circumference measures. The hypothesis is that by participating in this novel TK-MT intervention - learning to cook healthy, delicious, inexpensive meals at home; understanding principles of good nutrition (based on the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate); incorporating exercise more effectively into daily living; reducing stress and increasing mindfulness and sleep; and, having access to principles of health coaching - in order to leverage personal motivations - can provide a platform to transform individuals and consequently their health, not only for the duration of this study (16 weeks intensive, 8 months boosters for a total of 12 months) but for their entire lives.

Eligibility Criteria

Adults aged 25-70 with class I or II obesity (BMI 30-39.9) and certain metabolic abnormalities, who can commit to an 18-month study including weekly classes for the first four months followed by monthly sessions. Participants must have internet access, a device with a camera, and basic cooking appliances at home.

Inclusion Criteria

English literate

I am able to understand and agree to the study's procedures and risks.

I live on my own without needing help.

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Exclusion Criteria

Diet / exercise contraindications to program participation

Psychiatric hospitalization in the past 12 months

Prisoners, pregnant women, and women planning to become pregnant over the next 18 months

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Teaching Kitchen Collaborative Curriculum (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe trial is testing a comprehensive program that includes culinary education, nutrition guidance, exercise promotion, stress reduction techniques, mindfulness training, and health coaching strategies to improve lifestyle habits related to obesity prevention over one year.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in the intervention group will gather together in a 2-hour group setting once a week for the first 16 week intensive, then change to a once a month 2-hour gathering for the remaining 8 months of boosters of the intervention. Follow-up will occur 6 months after the final intervention class to assess long-term changes. The total time span of the study will be 18 months.

Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

The control group follows clinical care in the usual standard (i.e. continuing to receive usual care from one's primary care physician)