What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for obesity include lifestyle interventions, dietary modifications, and pharmacologic treatments. Lifestyle interventions, such as increased physical activity and dietary changes, generally have minimal side effects but may include temporary discomfort or muscle soreness. Dietary modifications, like low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diets, can sometimes cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating or constipation. Pharmacologic treatments, such as semaglutide, may lead to gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to discuss these potential side effects with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment plan.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several drugs for the treatment of obesity, often in conjunction with lifestyle interventions. Notable examples include orlistat, which reduces fat absorption, and liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite. More recently, semaglutide has been approved for its significant weight loss effects. These medications are typically recommended alongside comprehensive lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to enhance their efficacy. This approach aligns with the Canine Health-Literacy Module, which promotes healthier behaviors through family and pet involvement.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives for obesity treatment in 2024 include: 1) Mobile apps that facilitate weight loss and health behavior change through self-monitoring, communication with health professionals, and culturally adapted features. 2) Digital interventions for weight gain prevention in college students, which have shown acceptability and improvements in behavioral mediators. 3) Web- and mobile-based lifestyle interventions for cancer survivors, which have demonstrated feasibility and short-term weight reduction. These alternatives leverage technology to provide accessible, scalable, and personalized support for weight management.

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Canine Health Education for Adolescent Obesity (BW Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Larry Yin, MD, MSPH

Research Sponsored by Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up weeks 1, 4, 7

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a new approach that adds dog health education to a family lifestyle program for overweight or obese adolescents who own dogs. The goal is to use the bond between kids and their pets to boost physical activity and improve health habits. Fitness trackers and mobile assessments will help measure the program's impact.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for caregivers and their overweight or obese children aged 9-17 who own a dog. It aims to tackle obesity by incorporating dogs into the family's lifestyle changes. Those with a normal BMI or without a dog cannot participate.

What is being tested?

The study tests an innovative Canine Health-Literacy module within the BodyWorks program, using tools like physical activity trackers and ecological momentary assessment to improve health behaviors in dog-owning families.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves educational and lifestyle changes rather than medication, typical medical side effects are not expected. However, increased physical activity may lead to muscle soreness or fatigue.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ weeks 1, 4, 7

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~weeks 1, 4, 7

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and weeks 1, 4, 7 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Acceptability of Ecological Momentary Assessment

Acceptability of use of physical activity trackers

Affect Variability associated with the BodyWorks + Canine Health Literacy intervention

+7 more

Secondary study objectives

Body Mass index

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: InterventionExperimental Treatment4 Interventions

Half of the BodyWorks families will be randomized to the intervention group, and will receive a PAT for the children, the parents, and the dogs at the beginning of the cycle; the children will respond to EMA surveys using a cell phone; the children and the parents will receive the Canine health literacy module in addition to the BW curriculum.

Group II: ControlActive Control3 Interventions

Half of the BodyWorks participants will be randomized to the control group and will receive a PAT at the beginning of the cycle for the children, the parents, and the dogs, and the children will respond to EMA surveys using cell phones.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Ecological Momentary Assessment

2021

N/A

~150

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for obesity include lifestyle interventions, dietary modifications, and pharmacotherapy. Lifestyle interventions focus on increasing physical activity and promoting behavioral changes to reduce caloric intake and improve overall health. Dietary modifications, such as the DASH or Mediterranean diets, emphasize consuming nutrient-dense foods while reducing calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods. Pharmacotherapy involves medications that reduce appetite or increase feelings of fullness. These treatments are crucial for obesity patients as they address the root causes of obesity, promote sustainable weight loss, and improve comorbid conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Family lifestyle interventions, like those leveraging dog ownership, can enhance these treatments by fostering a supportive environment and encouraging physical activity through regular dog walking.

How effective are interventions designed to help owners to change their behaviour so as to manage the weight of their companion dogs? A systematic review and meta-analysis.