Self-compassion and Nutrition (SCAN) Study

Lifespan

Status: Completed

Conditions: Weight Loss; Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: Behavioral weight loss program; Behavioral: Self-compassion; Behavioral: Nutrition and cooking education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04289636

1569066

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of two approaches for improving long-term weight loss success among individuals with severe obesity. All participants will receive a 15-week, standard behavioral weight loss program followed by either 8 weeks of a mindfulness self-compassion intervention or 8 weeks of a nutrition and cooking education intervention (determined via randomization procedures). Assessments of weight, physical activity, and other weight-related and psychosocial factors will occur at baseline, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months.

Enrollment: 28 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-65 years
• BMI between 40 - 55 kg/m2
• Female
• Score high on internalized weight bias

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of any condition that would limit one's ability to exercise (i.e., orthopedic limitations)
• Recent weight loss (≥15 pounds within the past 6 months)
• History of bariatric surgery
• Current or recent enrollment (completed <1 year ago) in a weight loss program at the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center
• Currently taking any weight loss or other medication that could alter one's metabolism
• Women who are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant in the next 6 months, or those pregnant within the past 6 months
• Serious psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, major depression, suicidality) -
• Participants with a history of diabetes or heart disease will be considered for this study only if their heart disease or diabetes is well controlled, and physician consent will be required.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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28 participants in 2 patient groups

Weight loss and self-compassion

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive a 15-week behavioral weight loss program which teaches strategies for changing diet and exercise behaviors. This will consist of a combination of group and individual sessions. Group classes will be delivered remotely via a video-conferencing platform. This will be followed by an 8-week mindfulness-based self-compassion program which combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion as a means for improving emotional resilience, well-being, and weight control.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral weight loss program

Behavioral: Self-compassion

Weight loss and nutrition/cooking education

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive a 15-week behavioral weight loss program which teaches strategies for changing diet and exercise behaviors. This will consist of a combination of group and individual sessions. Group classes will be delivered remotely via a video-conferencing platform. This will be followed by an 8-week nutrition and cooking education program which will provide basic nutrition knowledge and cooking skills for healthy eating.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral weight loss program

Behavioral: Nutrition and cooking education