FAMily-centered WEight Loss for Black Adults (FAM WEL B-ing)
FAMily-centered WEight Loss for Black Adults (FAM WEL B-ing): Optimization and Evaluation Using Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) and Social Network Analysis (SNA)
Who can join
Ages 18 to 75 · All sexes
Full 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) * able to make changes to the food you eat Exclusion Criteria: * planning to move out of the area with the next 8-9 months * participation in an intensive weight loss program (more than 12 visits) in the prior 12 months * type 1 diabetes * significant psychiatric illness, defined as depression or other major psychiatric illness not considered reasonably managed by counseling, medication, or both * had bariatric surgery (surgery for weight loss) in the last 2 years or considering bariatric surgery in the next 8-9 months * using or in the prior 3 months taking prescription weight loss medications, or planning to start medications intentionally for weight loss * lost more than 20 pounds of body weight in last 6 months * are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the next 8-9 months * are breastfeeding an infant less than 3 months old * 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)
About the study
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the best combination of family components that yields optimal weight loss among Black adults. The main question it aims to answer is:
What combination of four family components in combination with a standard behavioral weight loss program yields optimal weight loss among Black adults? Researchers will compare different combinations of family skills components (communication content, cohesion content, number of sessions, and mode of delivery) to see the best weight loss.
Participants will:
* Participate in a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention * Attend core weight loss in-person group sessions, and dyad based family sessions * Keep track of weight, dietary intake and physical activity
What is being tested
- Family Skills Training Session Quantity: 5 (behavioral)
- Family Skills Training Session Mode: In-person (behavioral)
- Family Skills Training Content: Communication (behavioral)
- Family Skills Training Content: Cohesion (behavioral)
- Family Skills Training Session Quantity: 10 (behavioral)
- Family Skills Training Session Mode: Online (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Participants: 256 · Started: Feb 3, 2025
Contact the study team
- Carmen Samuel-Hodge · Phone: 919-966-0360
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06724406
Locations in the U.S.
| North Carolina | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.