Weight Loss Counseling for African American Women Who Are Breast Cancer Survivors

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breast Cancer; Obesity; Weight Changes

Treatments: Behavioral: Diet; Other: Spiritual counseling

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00872677

CDR0000612147

013003B3E (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

RATIONALE: A culturally sensitive weight loss program for obese African American breast cancer survivors may be more effective than a standard weight loss program in helping women lose weight.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying personalized weight loss counseling to see how well it works in African American women who are breast cancer survivors.

Full description

OBJECTIVES:

• To develop a weight loss intervention for obese African American women who are breast cancer survivors.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention groups.

• Group 1: Participants receive traditional individual dietary and exercise counseling in combination with the Weight Watchers weight loss program for 18 months.
• Group 2: Participants receive individual dietary and exercise counseling in combination with the Weight Watchers weight loss program as in group 1. They also receive spiritual counseling that incorporates meditation, readings, and the recording of thoughts into a long-term weight management program. The program addresses coping with stress, setting priorities, dealing with emotional issues that trigger old behavior patterns, and developing accountability for following desired diet and exercise patterns.

Enrollment: 31 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of breast cancer within the past 5 years

  • Stage I-IIIA disease
  • No recurrence of cancer

• Identified as African American

• Body Mass Index 30-40

• Hormone receptor status not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Menopausal status not specified
• Stable body weight
• Not currently following a special diet
• No uncontrolled congestive heart failure, untreated hypertension, disabling osteoarthritis, drug or alcohol abuse, or psychiatric conditions that may interfere with counseling

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• More than 3 months since prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Trial design

31 participants in 2 patient groups

Dietitian-led counseling and Weight Watchers

Description:

Talk to study dietitian (eight in person or by phone) weekly for the first 3 months, every other week for the next 3 months and monthly thereafter.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Diet

Dietitian & Weight Watchers + Spirituality Counseling

Description:

Dietitian wkly for the 1st-3 months, every other week for the next 3 months and monthly thereafter; Spiritual counselor weekly in months 6-9, every other week in months 9-12 and monthly thereafter.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Diet

Other: Spiritual counseling