Preventing Obesity in Military Communities-Adolescents

Summary

To determine whether reducing loss of control eating (LOC) with Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Weight Gain (IPT-WG) will be effective for adolescent military-dependents who report such behavior. The investigators will examine whether IPT-WG influences body weight gain trajectories and prevents worsening disordered eating, psychosocial problems, and metabolic functioning among military dependents at heightened risk for adult obesity and disordered eating. This study will provide key efficacy data for a new promising obesity prevention program for youth from military families.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Overweight
• Binge Eating

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

IPT-WG involves one initial 1.5-hour individual session, and 12 weekly 90-minute group sessions. The IPT-WG group sessions follow 3 phases (initial, middle, and termination) and use the interpersonal inventory to identify interpersonal problems that might be contributing to or exacerbated by LOC eating. A framework of common problem areas is used to teach interpersonal problem-solving and communication skills and educate youth about risk factors for excessive weight gain and warning signs such as eating in response to negative affect as opposed to hunger, or feeling a sense of LOC while eating.

OTHER

Health Education

The HE group is based upon 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 session is 90 minutes). Additionally, individuals will attend a pre-group individual meeting with the group leaders to review family health history.The curriculum includes focus on various health topics, including alcohol, drug and tobacco use, depression and suicide, nutrition and body image, nonviolent conflict resolution, sun safety, exercise, and domestic violence. Session content will be largely identical for boys and girls, with the exception of gender-specific videos and articles (e.g., on body image), which will be tailored for each sex.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

  collaborator FED

• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

  collaborator FED

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  collaborator NIH

• 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

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-07-31

Primary Completion

2021-05-31

Completion

2021-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations