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Family, Responsibility, Education, Support, and Health for Families With a Child With Autism

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Obesity, Childhood
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Interventions
Behavioral: PBT-A
Behavioral: Health Education (HE)
Registration Number
NCT05741840
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Diego
Brief Summary

The objective of this proposed study is to collect initial efficacy data on a telehealth parent-based behavioral program for children with autism and overweight or obesity (PBT-A), compared with health education (HE).

Detailed Description

The study will compare the efficacy of PBT-A and health education program delivered via telehealth to parents on child weight management. Investigators will provide 6 months of a group program (PBT-A or HE) and will follow participants for 12-months post-treatment (total time = 18 months). Investigators will recruit parents of children diagnosed with autism and overweight or obesity. Assessments will occur at 5 timepoints: baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Assessments will include anthropometry for both parent and child. Parent will also provide information regarding autism diagnosis and characteristics, eating behaviors, and parenting relationship measures. This program of research has the potential to advance the standard of practice for children with autism and overweight or obesity by developing tailored interventions which can be easily disseminated.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
150
Inclusion Criteria
  1. A child with OW/OB (>=85% BMI for age) aged 6-12 years
  2. Documented (1) community diagnosis or provisional diagnosis of ASD or (2) educational diagnosis of ASD
  3. The child meets cut-off criteria for autism on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), as well as overall DSM 5 criteria based on the clinical judgement of an experienced clinician
  4. The parent who is responsible for food preparation is willing to participate
  5. The family is willing to commit to attending all treatment and assessment sessions
  6. Child on a stable medication regimen (minimum of 3 months)
  7. Child does not have any medical conditions that limit ability to participate in physical activity for the duration of the study. Parent can participate in physical activity or at least facilitate support of child's completion of recommended physical activity.
  8. Child and/or parent are not participating in another organized weight control program
  9. Family owns a device that can facilitate zoom meetings
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Child diagnoses of a serious chronic physical disease (e.g., cystic fibrosis, type 1 diabetes) for which physician supervision of diet and/or exercise is needed
  2. Child or first degree relative with diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia nervosa based on parent report
  3. Acute parent psychiatric disorder (e.g., acute suicidality; recent hospitalization; psychosis, moderate or severe alcohol or substance use disorder) that could interfere with treatment.
  4. Parent is not currently pregnant, lactating or planning to get pregnant during the study duration
  5. Parent has had bariatric surgery less than 6 months ago and/or is not yet eating solid food or is planning to have bariatric surgery over the study duration
  6. Child is taking medication for the purpose of weight loss

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PBT-APBT-APBT-A includes the elements of family based behavioral treatment for children with obesity, delivered exclusively to a parent via telehealth.
Health EducationHealth Education (HE)This program provides information about nutrition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, emotions, and stress delivered exclusively to a parent via telehealth.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Child %BMIp95Change from baseline to month 3, 6, 12, and 18

Age and Sex specific percentage of the 95th percentile BMI for age and sex that is more sensitive to change in children with higher weights

Child BMIz age and sex adjusted BMI (kg/m^2)Change from baseline to month 3, 6, 12, and 18

age and sex adjusted body mass index (BMI) z-score based on the CDC norms

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Parent Dietary IntakeChange from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

Block Fat/Sugar/Fruit/Vegetable Screener for adults

Child Dietary IntakeChange from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

BLOCK kids food screener completed by parent

Parent Physical ActivityChange from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

Child Physical ActivityChange from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

The Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire (C-PAQ) parent proxy

Child Mealtime BehaviorsChange from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) with scores ranging from 18 to 90 with higher scores indicating greater mealtime problem behaviors

Parent self-efficacyChange from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) - Scores range from 17-102 with higher scores representing higher parenting sense of competence.

Parent body mass index (BMI)Change from baseline to mid-treatment, months: 3, 6, 12, and 18

kg/m\^2

Parenting as measured by the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ)Change from baseline to month 6, 12, and 18

Parents will self-report parenting behaviors via the APQ across 5 domains: 1) positive involvement with children, 2) supervision and monitoring, 3) use of positive discipline techniques, 4) consistency in the use of such discipline, and 5) use of corporal punishment. Higher scores indicate greater frequency of engagement with that particular parenting domain. Scores range from 1-5.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UC San Diego Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research (CHEAR)

🇺🇸

La Jolla, California, United States

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