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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Oct 3;56(10):1042-1055.
doi: 10.1093/abm/kaab110.

The Results of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Randomized Trial in Overweight African American Adolescents

Dawn K Wilson  1 , Allison M Sweeney  2 , M Lee Van Horn  3 , Heather Kitzman  4 , Lauren H Law  1 , Haylee Loncar  1 , Colby Kipp  1 , Asia Brown  1 , Mary Quattlebaum  1 , Tyler McDaniel  1 , Sara M St George  5 , Ron Prinz  1 , Ken Resnicow  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Results of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Randomized Trial in Overweight African American Adolescents

Dawn K Wilson et al. Ann Behav Med. .

Abstract

Background: Few intervention studies have integrated cultural tailoring, parenting, behavioral, and motivational strategies to address African American adolescent weight loss.

Purpose: The Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial was a randomized group cohort study testing the efficacy of a cultural tailoring, positive parenting, and motivational intervention for weight loss in overweight African American adolescents (N = 241 adolescent/caregiver dyads).

Methods: The trial tested an 8-week face-to-face group motivational plus family weight loss program (M + FWL) compared with a comprehensive health education control program. Participants were then rerandomized to an 8-week tailored or control online program to test the added effects of the online intervention on reducing body mass index and improving physical activity (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA], light physical activity [LPA]), and diet.

Results: There were no significant intervention effects for body mass index or diet. There was a significant effect of the group M + FWL intervention on parent LPA at 16 weeks (B = 33.017, SE = 13.115, p = .012). Parents in the group M + FWL intervention showed an increase in LPA, whereas parents in the comprehensive health education group showed a decrease in LPA. Secondary analyses using complier average causal effects showed a significant intervention effect at 16 weeks for parents on MVPA and a similar trend for adolescents.

Conclusions: While the intervention showed some impact on physical activity, additional strategies are needed to impact weight loss among overweight African American adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; African American; Diet; Family intervention; Physical activity; Weight loss.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
CONSORT diagram for the Families Improving Together (FIT) trial. CHE comprehensive health education; M + FWL motivation + family weight loss intervention.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Interaction between group-based treatment at 16 weeks (B) when predicting parent light physical activity (LPA). M + FWL motivation + family weight loss intervention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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