Clinical Research Directory

National Blood Pressure Screening in Children to Improve Paediatric Healthcare in South Africa

The Childhood Hypertension Consortium of South Africa (CHCSA) was established to foster relationships between the healthcare sector and schools through community engagement and outreach as well as contributing to the decolonization of normative paediatric blood pressure reference values. To date, there has been no nation-wide project in South Africa to determine nationally representative normal blood pressure reference values, nor to estimate the true prevalence of hypertension in the paediatric population of the country. This study will provide critical information on the understanding of blood pressure and hypertension in children, especially of African ancestry. Not only will this effort contribute to the development of the first nationally representative normal reference values of blood pressure but will also benefit healthcare providers in the sector with a clear guideline on the management of high blood pressure in children as developed by experts working with these challenges daily.

Time-Restricted Feeding in Children and Adolescents With Obesity

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-month time-restricted feeding (TRF) intervention in children and adolescents with obesity. The investigators will determine whether the potential beneficial effects of the intervention in this population are maintained over time. Furthermore, potential mechanisms mediating TRF effects will be explored, specifically focusing on the potential role of the gut microbiome and the circadian rhythm.

Effects of the Postbiotic Blend ABB C3 on Adiposity and Glucose Metabolism in Children and Adolescents

This study investigates the effects of a postbiotic combination called ABB C3 on reducing body fat and improving metabolic health in children and teenagers. The study consists of a 3-month trial with half participants taking ABB C3 and the other half a placebo, monitoring body composition and blood markers. Afterward, participants can continue with ABB C3 for an additional 3 months. The goal is to determine if ABB C3 is a safe and effective way to help young people improve their health by reducing body fat.

Young Adults With Early-onset Obesity Treated With Semaglutide

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of obesity is particularly pronounced among adolescents. Currently available treatment options consist of structured lifestyle interventions. However, 25 % of adolescents do not respond to lifestyle treatment, why new effective treatment strategies are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lifestyle interventions combined with the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide to young adults with otherwise treatment resistant obesity. Methods and analysis: This is an investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. 180-270 young adults (age 18-28) will be recruited from The Childrens Obesity Clinic (TCOC), Department of Pediatrics, Holbæk Hospital. Based on their previous response to the TCOC protocol the participants will be divided in four groups: Group A: Non-responders: 55-85 young adults with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) who have not reduced adiposity, defined as BMI SDS reduction \<0.1, during the structured lifestyle counselling as children. Group B: Insufficient responders: 55-85 young adults who have reduced adiposity, defined as BMI SDS reduction \>0.25, during the structured lifestyle counselling as children but still have obesity as young adults (BMI≥30 kg/m2) Group C: Excellent responders: 35-50 young adults, who have reduced adiposity, defined as BMI SDS reduction \>0.5, during the structured lifestyle counselling as children and no longer have obesity as young adults (BMI\<30 kg/m2) Group D: Population-based reference group (normal weight development): 35-50 young adults, who have participated in The Holbaek Study as children. Group A and B are randomized 2:1 to either semaglutide or placebo for 68 weeks. Group C and D will attend baseline examinations only and not undergo intervention. The primary endpoint is change in BMI from randomization to end-of-treatment. Ethics and dissemination: The trial has been approved by the Danish Medicines Agency (EudraCT 2019-002274-31) and by the ethical committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-20039422). The trial will be conducted in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki and monitored to follow the guidelines for good clinical practice. Results will be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

A Sensory Strategy to Cut Sugary Beverages in African/American and Latine Adolescents

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether replacing sugary sodas with unsweetened, flavored sparkling waters can reduce added sugar intake and improve health in Black/African American and Latine adolescents with obesity who prefer sweet-tasting beverages. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does replacing sugary sodas with water change liking for sugary drinks, and water? * Do shifts in liking for sweetness lead to improved diet quality and cardiometabolic health? Researchers will compare replacing sugary sodas with one of three alternative beverages: unsweetened sparkling water, plain water, and beverages with gradually reduced sugar to determine which strategy is most effective. Participants will: * Replace sugary sodas with study drinks for 4 weeks * Complete taste tests to measure their liking for and sensory experience of sweetness over 8-weeks * Provide dietary recalls, body measurements, and blood samples over 8-weeks

Oxytocin for Weight Loss in Adolescents

This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of intranasal oxytocin in youths with obesity, ages 12-18 years old. Subjects will be randomized to receive intranasal oxytocin or placebo (1 spray per nostril, 4 times per day) for 12 weeks. Study visits include screening to determine eligibility, 2-part main study visits at baseline, week 8, and week 12, and safety check-in visits at weeks 1, and 4; phone calls at weeks 2, 6, and 10, with a safety follow-up visit 6 weeks after the last dose of study drug. Study procedures include appetite, behavioral, metabolic, and endocrine assessments.

Pain and Weight Treatment: Development and Trial of PAW

Pediatric weight management efficacy is impacted by failure to complete treatment protocols and, for those that do complete treatment, a return to unhealthy behaviors. This project tests whether treating pain, a common comorbid condition to pediatric obesity, will enhance treatment. This study will generate results that can be translated into immediate improvements in care for families seeking treatment for pediatric obesity.

Guys/Girls Opt for Activities for Life Trial (GOAL) to Increase Young Adolescents' Physical Activity and Healthy Eating

In this 2-phase trial (R61/R33), we propose Guys/Girls Opt for Activities for Life (GOAL). Guided by Self-Determination Theory and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model, GOAL will target the school and home environment to increase young adolescents' physical activity (PA) and healthy eating by increasing important factors at the individual-level: motivation and self-efficacy; and socioenvironmental-level: social support. The 4-month (16-wk) GOAL intervention has 3 components: (1) After-school GOAL Club: 26 events (2 d/wk; 120 min/event/day; 13 weeks due to no club during 3 school break weeks) for boys and girls to engage in PA and healthy eating/cooking activities; (2) Three parent-adolescent meetings (1st meeting at each school, which is also conducted synchronously via Zoom to increase convenience for parents who are not able to meet in-person at the school for various reasons; 2nd and 3rd meetings video-recorded and delivered asynchronously to accommodate and meet the needs of busy parents who have varying schedules due to work, home, and other responsibilities): to empower parents to assist adolescents with PA and healthy eating/cooking; and (3) GOAL social networking website: private website (already developed) for parents to learn about healthy eating and PA, network with other parents, and share with each other about how they helped their adolescent(s) increase PA and diet quality each week. The purpose of this individual randomized controlled trial (unit of assignment is adolescent) is to evaluate the effect of GOAL on decreasing cardiovascular disease risk factors (high percent body fat, overweight/obesity, low cardiovascular fitness), improving quality of life; and increasing motivation, self-efficacy, and social support to increase moderate-to-vigorous PA and diet quality among adolescents (5th-8th grade) throughout the state of Michigan. All interested adolescents who meet eligibility criteria and have parental consent will be included. We are including all interested students and not only those who have a high BMI (e.g., BMI z-score ≥0 \[≥50th percentile\]), in order to avoid social stigma(s) discouraging adolescents from participating. Adolescents in each of 14 schools total will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control (usual school activities) condition. The plan is to include at least n=33 intervention and n=30 control adolescents in each school every year for 3 years of the R33 Phase. On average, we will include at least 63 adolescents per school (at least 31-32 boys and 31-32 girls) and one parent per adolescent will be enrolled, bringing our total sample size to at least 882 dyads total (882 adolescents and one parent per adolescent).

Health Without Barriers/Salud Sin Barreras- Northern Colorado

The overarching goal of this work is to address the limited access to evidence-based health behavior and lifestyle interventions for youth and families most impacted by preventable chronic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. In the current project, we implement a small single-arm pilot and feasibility trial of Health Without Barriers/Salud Sin Barreras (HWB/SSB), a culturally-adapted, whole-family intensive health behavior and lifestyle intervention to 11-19-year-old adolescents and their families living in Northern Colorado. Objectives are refining the HWB/SSB community facilitator training, evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of HWB/SSB implementation, and characterizing changes in health outcomes among adolescent participants.

Multi-Modal Digital Interventions for Adolescent Weight Management

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-modal digital intervention, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), in promoting healthy weight control behaviors among overweight and obese adolescents. This study also aims to reduce the risk of unhealthy weight control behaviors by leveraging artificial intelligence-driven coaching, interactive platforms, gamified applications, and real-time feedback mechanisms. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Can a multi-modal digital intervention effectively modify adolescents' primary beliefs underlying TPB constructs (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control)? 2. How do TPB constructs influence weight control intentions, and how do these intentions translate into either healthy or unhealthy weight control behaviors? What role do adolescents' body image, body satisfaction, and mental health play in moderating the relationship between weight control intention and behavior? Participants will: 1. Be adolescents aged 12-18 years with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile. 2. Be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (multi-modal digital intervention) or the control group (general health education). 3. Engage in AI-driven coaching, interactive digital sessions, and gamified experiences tailored to TPB constructs. 4. Complete biweekly sessions over a period of three months (each session lasting two hours). 5. Receive personalized feedback and real-time monitoring through the Virti platform. 6. Participate in follow-up assessments at one month and three months post-intervention. Researchers will compare the intervention group to the control group to determine whether the multi-modal digital intervention leads to a higher adoption of healthy weight control behaviors and a lower prevalence of unhealthy weight control behaviors.

Preoperative Use of Liraglutide Additionally to Common Dietological Measures as Opposed to Dietological Measures Alone

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of preoperative Saxenda (liraglutide). There are two groups, one group receives Saxena in addition to dietary measures when first seeking the operation, one group only diet. The investigator is researching how much additional preoperative weight loss is possible with the drug admitted preoperatively.

Wakaya: Rising Up for Choctaw Youth Health

Investigators will conduct a two-group randomized waitlist-control trial to assess the efficacy of the Wakaya: Rising Up for Choctaw Youth Health program on improving physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviors and improving healthful eating habits as well as delaying or reducing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Wakaya is an experiential, outdoor, nature-based program grounded in Choctaw values. It is a multi-level intervention that increases individual motivation and leadership skills to make healthy behavioral choices for behavior and exercise.

Perioperative Music in Obese Patients Under Spinal Anesthesia

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether music or midazolam has a greater anxiolytic effect on obese patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. It will also determine the safety of music compared to midazolam in this population (differences in blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation). The main question to answer: Music or midazolam is more effective in reducing anxiety in obese patients under spinal anesthesia?

Nutrition Goes to School: a School-based Nutrition Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Behaviour Among Adolescents

The goal of this cluster randomized controlled pilot trial is to assess the feasibility and effect of a school-based nutrition intervention program called "Nutrition Goes to School" (NGTS) in improving a healthy diet and physical activities as part of the prevention and management of obesity among adolescents in urban Indonesia. The main questions it aims to answer concern the feasibility of the NGTS multi-component school-based nutrition intervention model in selected secondary schools in an urban setting to inform the design of the future effectiveness study. Additionally, it aims to evaluate the effect of the school-based nutrition intervention in the healthy eating knowledge and behavior (fruit and vegetable consumption, energy-dense nutrient poor food, and sugary beverages consumption, as measured by food frequency questionnaire) and physical activities as well as its effect on nutrition status (body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference \[MUAC\] and waist circumference). The intervention components consist of nutrition education to school communities (teachers, management, students and parents), healthy school canteen, school garden, hygiene and sanitation promotion of the school environment and obesogenic environment control, and promotion of physical activities among students. Five secondary schools in Jakarta will be randomly assigned to receive the intervention for 6 months, and five other schools will serve as the control group.

Adolescents Bariatric Surgery Cohort Survey

Obesity affects 3%-4% of the pediatric population and leads to cardiac mortality during adult life. Bariatric surgery is the best treatment for weight loss and preventing obesity associated comorbidities in adults, but its applications and safety are yet to be defined for adolescents.