FAMily-centered WEight Loss for Black Adults (FAM WEL B-ing)

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Dec 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The FAMily-centered WEight Loss for Black Adults (FAM WEL B-ing) trial is designed to find the best ways for Black adults to lose weight with the support of their families. The researchers want to know which combination of family activities, such as communication and group sessions, works best when added to a standard weight loss program. Participation will involve a 6-month plan where you will attend group meetings, engage in family sessions, and keep track of your weight, food intake, and physical activity.

To be eligible for this study, you should identify as Black or African American, have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (or 27.5 or higher for a family partner), and be between 18 and 75 years old. You will need a family member or partner who is also willing to participate and share the same weight loss goals. Participants must be able to speak English and use a smartphone, tablet, or computer for the study. This trial is currently recruiting, so if you meet the criteria and are interested, consider joining to work towards better health together with your family!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • self-identified as Black or African American (Index participant)
• • BMI equal to greater than 30 kg/m\^2 (Index); BMI equal to greater than 27.5 kg/m\^2 (family partner)
• • have a partner/family member willing to enroll in the study and must share a mutual goal of achieving weight loss
• • English speaking
• • ages 18-75
• • any gender
• • have access to and be able to use a smartphone, tablet, or computer that has web-access (this is required for data collection and some program components being tested)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • participation in an intensive weight loss program (more than 12 visits) in the prior 6 months
• • type 1 diabetes
• • significant psychiatric illness, defined as depression or other major psychiatric illness not considered reasonably managed by counseling, medication, or both
• • prior bariatric surgery or considering bariatric surgery in the next 6 months using or - - planning to start medications intentionally for weight loss
• • pregnancy/breastfeeding or intended pregnancy in the next 6 months
• • alcohol or substance abuse, defined as alcohol or substance use that interferes with work activities and/or has had a major negative impact on family/social function, the latter defined as more than 2 episodes per month.
• • malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer, unless considered cured \> 5 years ago. Exceptions include 1) men with localized prostate cancer (treated with usual modalities or managed with "active surveillance"), and 2) postmenopausal women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy (e.g., aromatase inhibitor) for non-metastatic, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer
• • self-report of advanced kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 30 mL/min)