Preventing Obesity in Military Communities, Adolescents

Summary

This research study is aimed at the prevention of excessive weight gain in female military dependents at high risk for adult obesity. The purpose of this study is to determine whether reducing Loss of Control (LOC) eating and associated indicators through use of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) will be feasible and acceptable to female adolescent dependents who report such behaviors. Moreover, patterns in the data will be examined to assess whether IPT influences body weight gain trajectories and prevent worsening disordered eating and metabolic functioning among female military dependents at heightened risk for unhealthy weight gain.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Weight Gain
• Disordered Eating
• Eating Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Weight Gain

Participants will have 1 individual pre-group session when each participant meets with the group leaders so that they can learn about each girl's significant relationships, set goals for the program, and so each girl can learn about group participation and format. Participants then will begin IPT-WG which is designed to decrease excessive weight gain among adolescents ages 12-17 years who are at risk for adult obesity. The IPT-WG program has been adapted to be appropriate for military dependents. The IPT-WG group meets for 12 consecutive, weekly group meetings and involves developing strategies for dealing with the problems girls struggle with that may lead to increased eating. At the 6th week of the group, the group leaders meet with each participant to review their progress and goals.

OTHER

Health Education

The health education group will follow the "HEY-Durham" health program designed by researchers at Duke University. This program, designed to be delivered to youth attending community high schools, was adapted to a 12-week program (each with a 90 minute session). Girls will come in for a 1.5-hour group meeting once a week for 12 weeks (12 times total). Before beginning the group, girls will meet with group leaders to review each adolescent's family health history. The curriculum includes focus on various health topics, including avoiding alcohol, drug and tobacco use, nutrition and body image, nonviolent conflict resolution, sun safety, exercise, and domestic violence.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

  collaborator FED

• Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Ph.D. · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

12 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-11-30

Primary Completion

2018-08-31

Completion

2018-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations