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Redefining BMI: The Body, Mind, and Inflammation Trial

Redefining BMI: The Body, Mind, and Inflammation Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06532747
Enrollment
32
Registered
2024-08-01
Start date
2025-09-26
Completion date
2027-03-03
Last updated
2026-05-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Adiposity, Obesity

Keywords

BMI, Emerging Adult (EA) Women, Lifestyle Intervention, Biomarker Inflammation Improvement

Brief summary

Emerging adulthood (18-25 years of age) is a critical developmental window to promote weight management and cardiometabolic health, particularly for emerging adult women. The primary purpose of this study is to test the preliminary efficacy of the intensive lifestyle intervention for EA women in reducing adiposity, as well as improving biomarkers of inflammation and metabolic risk over 12 months compared with a traditional behavioral weight loss intervention. This treatment program will be tested in emerging adult (EA) women ages 18-25 years old with a BMI of 25-50 kg/m\^2.

Detailed description

This is a 2-arm, parallel randomized controlled pilot trial designed to test the preliminary efficacy of a novel integrated lifestyle intervention for emerging adult (EA) women, compared to a developmentally adapted behavioral weight loss arm. Thirty-two participants (female, 18-25 years, BMI 25-50 kg/m\^2) will be randomized to 1 of 2 arms: 1) Integrated Lifestyle Intervention (ILI); or 2) Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL). The primary goals are to test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to reduce adiposity over 12 months compared to BWL, and to test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL. Assessments of adiposity, inflammatory cytokines, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and behavioral and psychological treatment targets will occur at 0, 4, 8 and 12 months. In addition, putative psychological mechanisms of action will be explored to inform a future trial.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALIntegrated Lifestyle Intervention (ILI)

ILI participants will receive training in empirically supported strategies to improve psychological function (e.g., restructuring negative thoughts, distress tolerance), with a focus on changing discrete behaviors linked to inflammation (e.g., sleep, processed foods, physical activity), all intertwined with BWL content adapted to meet the needs of EAs.

BEHAVIORALMonitoring with digital tools

All participants will receive digital tools to facilitate self-monitoring-the initial 4-month program will consist of group sessions via Zoom (8 weekly, 4 bi-weekly) with weekly tailored e-coaching, followed by monthly boosters through 12 months.

Sponsors

Virginia Commonwealth University
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

This is a 2-arm, parallel randomized controlled pilot trial designed to test the preliminary efficacy of a novel integrated lifestyle intervention for emerging adult (EA) women, compared to a developmentally adapted behavioral weight loss arm.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Ages 18-25 years * Body mass index (BMI) 25-50 kg/m\^2 * Female

Exclusion criteria

* Currently pregnant or lactating * Current involvement in a weight loss program or current use of weight loss medication * Lost \>5% of their body weight in the previous 3 months * Uncontrolled medical conditions that may pose a safety issue given the recommendations for the diet and unsupervised physical activity * Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and/or impaired fasting blood glucose * Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes * Rheumatologic and gastrointestinal conditions associated with severe systemic inflammation * Medical conditions resulting in known perturbations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis * Report of a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness * Current or recent (during the past 3 months) use of medications that may impact weight or metabolic function * Current or recent (during the past 3 months) use of anti-inflammatory medications * Report of diagnosis or history of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, or any compensatory behaviors within the previous 3 months * Hospitalization for depression or other psychiatric disorder within the past 12 months * Uncontrolled bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder * Current suicidal intent * Planning to move from the area within the study period * Unwilling to be randomized to either study condition * Unable to read and speak English

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To test the preliminary efficacy of the intensive lifestyle intervention for EA women in reducing adiposity over 12 months compared with BWLChange in weight at 4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in adiposity (weight) between the two treatment arms across 12-months
To test the preliminary efficacy of the intensive lifestyle intervention for EA women in reducing waist circumference over 12 months compared with BWLChange in waist circumference at 4, 8, and 12-months.Change in adiposity (waist circumference) between the two treatment arms across 12-months
To test the preliminary efficacy of the intensive lifestyle intervention for EA women in reducing % body fat over 12 months compared with BWLChange in % body fat at 4, 8, and 12-months.Change in adiposity (% body fat) between the two treatment arms across 12-months

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in serum IL-1β and IL-6 at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in serum IL-1β and IL-6. Bursts of IL-1β can indicate acute inflammation, myocardial infarction, or stroke. IL-1β can also trigger the expression of IL-6 in various cell types. Elevated IL-6 levels can indicate an inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other autoimmune disorders. IL-6 levels can also correlate with disease activity.
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in serum TNF-α at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in serum TNF-α. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that patients with T1DM had significantly higher serum TNF-α levels than controls. TNF-α levels were also correlated with age, disease duration, and ethnicity.
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in CRP at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in CRP. Factors that can cause CRP levels to be slightly higher than normal include obesity, lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, diabetes, cancer, heart attack, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and related diseases, and rheumatic fever.
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in free cortisol at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in free cortisol, The normal range for adults is 3.5-45 micrograms per 24 hours, but this can vary by age. Factors that can affect free cortisol levels include: Stress, Alcoholism, Depression.
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in HOMA-IR at 4, 8, and 12-months4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in HOMA-IR, HOMA-IR measures the insulin level needed in the blood to maintain normal sugar levels. This test helps diagnose insulin resistance, the early stage of type 2 diabetes, a condition that increases the risks of several chronic health conditions.
Change in cholesterol level at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in lipids, Lipid disorders can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, because they prevent the body from properly metabolizing fats. High levels of certain lipids, especially cholesterol, can also lead to long-term problems like atherosclerosis.
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in ALT/AST at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in ALT/AST (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) There are many causes of mildly elevated ALT and AST levels. The most common causes are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease. In NAFLD, the liver has more fatty tissue in it than normal.
To test the preliminary efficacy of ILI to improve biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic risk over 12 months compared with BWL examining Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 4, 8, and 12-months.4, 8, and 12-monthsChange in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Your systolic and diastolic pressures change depending on your activity level, stress, fluid intake, and other factors. It's important to limit how these other factors might change your pressure when you're taking a blood pressure reading.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTVivian Hunter
huntervr@vcu.edu(804) 628-3972
CONTACTJessica LaRose
jlarose@vcu.edu(804) 628-7521
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJessica LaRose

Virginia Commonwealth University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 7, 2026