Clinical trial

Overweight and Obesity in Adolescents - Sleep Behavioral Intervention

Recruiting now · Not applicable · 1 countries · Registry ID NCT07255274

Recruiting nowNot applicableInterventional

What this study is about

Sleep plays a crucial role in energy balance, alongside diet and physical activity. Research has linked poor sleep quality and short sleep duration to obesity and cardiometabolic risk, such as insulin resistance and hypertension. The nature of this association is complex, and several mechanims have been suggested. Scientific evidence suggests that sleep interventions may provide additional benefits in optimizing the effectiveness of overweight/obesity treatment in pediatric populations. Although some studies have explored this hypothesis, methodological heterogeneity hampers clear interpretation of the results. The main goal of this clinical trial is is to evaluate the efficacy of a sleep behavioral intervention, combined with standard obesity treatment, in reducing adiposity (measured by BMI z-score, fat mass percentage, or fat-free mass index) in adolescents with overweight or obesity. This randomized controlled trial will compare a control group receiving treatment as usual (or standard obesity treatment) with an intervention group receiving treatment as usual plus a sleep behavioral intervention. Participants will be randomized into two groups: intervention and control. Throughout the study period, all medical consultations will include standard interventions focused on nutrition, physical activity/sedentary behavior, and other lifestyle factors. The sleep-focused intervention will be delivered by psychologists. Participants will attend clinic visits every two months during the 6-month intervention period, and every three months during the subsequent 6-month follow-up period.

A promising-looking record is not the same as confirmed eligibility. The study team must review the full criteria and current recruitment status.

Basic eligibility

Age13 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
Healthy volunteersNot accepted
ConditionObesity and Overweight, Sleep Disorder

Full registry criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Informed consent from legal guardians and assent/consent from the adolescent; 2. Age between 13 and 17 years at the time of consent; 3. Diagnosis of overweight (BMI z-score \> 1 and ≤ 2) or obesity (BMI z-score \> 2), according to WHO criteria; 4. Sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality, based on the initial screening questionnaire. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Secondary obesity (e.g., hypothalamic, genetic, or endocrine causes); 2. Comorbid psychiatric or neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder) that affect sleep; 3. Current treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other medications affecting sleep.

Treatments and study arms

Sleep Behavioral Intervention

Behavioral

Our research team, composed by pediatricians with experience in Obesity and Adolescent Medicine, and clinical psychologists with experience in Sleep, Obesity, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), developed a specific manual for this project: "Behavioral Sleep Intervention - SLEEP-OB - Therapist Support Manual." The manual was adapted based on CBT models for adults and adolescents with insomnia and on CBT for adolescents with other sleep disorders and comorbidities, namely obesity. The behavioral intervention aims to promote sustainable changes in sleep. It includes behavioral strategies (such as sleep restriction, stimulus control), cognitive strategies (cognitive reappraisal/restructuring, cognitive control, paradoxical intention), mixed strategies (sleep education/hygiene, relaxation), self-monitoring, and problem identification and resolution. The intervention will take place over six months, with a total of seven sessions (in-person and by video call).

Standard Obesity Treatment

Other

Standard obesity treatment for pediatric obesity according to international guidelines. It comprises pediatric appointments, and usually also nutrition and nursing appointments, every 2 to 3 months. These appointments include an anthropometric evaluation, physical examination and personalized multicomponent behavioral intervention with focus on nutrition, physical activity/sedentary behavior and other lifestyle recommendations. This standard intervention is common for both groups/arms.

Primary outcomes

BMI z-score at 6 months6 months

Variation between Visit 1 (baseline) and Visit 4 (end of the intervention). Weight (in kilograms) and height (in meters) will be used to calculate BMI in kg/m2. Then, BMI z-score will be calculated by WHO Anthroplus software 3.2.2.

BMI at 6 months6 months

Variation between Visit 1 (baseline) and Visit 4 (end of the intervention). Weight (in kilograms) and height (in meters) will be used to calculate BMI in kg/m2.

Fat mass percentage at 6 months6 months

Variation between Visit 1 (baseline) and Visit 4 (end of the intervention). Fat mass percentage (%FM) assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis with InBody 270®.

Fat-free mass index at 6 months6 months

Variation between Visit 1 (baseline) and Visit 4 (end of the intervention). FFMI (kg/ m2) calculated using FFM (in kilograms) and height (in meters).

Study locations

2 locations were listed when this page was built. The first 40 are shown.

Unidade Local de Saúde Cova da Beira🇵🇹 Covilha, Portugal
Sofia Ferreira, MDContact
Arminda Jorge, PhD in MedicineContact
Sofia Ferreira, Medical DoctorPrincipal Investigator
Hospital CUF Porto🇵🇹 Porto, Portugal
Carla Rêgo, PhD in MedicineContact
Carla Rêgo, PhD in MedicinePrincipal Investigator
Carla Laranjeira, Medical DoctorSub Investigator