Trial results for a study investigating online family dyadic skills training for Black adults in a behavioral weight loss program for Obesity were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-11-06, showing that participants in the online training group experienced a mean body weight change of -2.92 kg.
Background
Obesity and overweight are significant public health concerns, contributing to numerous chronic diseases. Behavioral weight loss programs are a common approach to managing these conditions. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive counselor-led online family skills training as part of a behavioral weight loss program specifically for Black adults, addressing potential disparities in access and engagement.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 21 participants. The trial focused on individuals with conditions including Body Weight, Body Weight Changes, Obesity, Overweight and Obesity, and Overweight. The study compared two approaches: an 'In-person Family Skills Training' group and an 'Online Family Skills Training' group, both integrated into a behavioral weight loss program.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements, comparing outcomes between the in-person and online training groups:
- For "Change in Body Weight":
- In the In-person Family Skills Training group, the mean change was -0.91 kg with a Standard Deviation of 4.83 kg.
- In the Online Family Skills Training group, the mean change was -2.92 kg with a Standard Deviation of 4.04 kg.
- For "Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)":
- In the In-person Family Skills Training group, the mean change was -0.27 kg/m^2 with a Standard Deviation of 2.05 kg/m^2.
- In the Online Family Skills Training group, the mean change was -0.77 kg/m^2 with a Standard Deviation of 1.33 kg/m^2.
- For "Change in Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviors":
- In the In-person Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 7.2 score on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 11.21 score on a scale.
- In the Online Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 9.29 score on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 11.28 score on a scale.
- For "Change in Self-Efficacy of Eating Behaviors":
- In the In-person Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 13.63 units on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 18.02 units on a scale.
- In the Online Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 9.43 units on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 27.40 units on a scale.
- For "Change in Social Support Effectiveness":
- In the In-person Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 2.67 score on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 10.07 score on a scale.
- In the Online Family Skills Training group, the mean change was -9.0 score on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 6.14 score on a scale.
- For "Change in Social Support for Eating":
- In the In-person Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 24.1 score on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 14.22 score on a scale.
- In the Online Family Skills Training group, the mean change was 30.43 score on a scale with a Standard Deviation of 13.80 score on a scale.
What this means
The results suggest that online family skills training may offer a more pronounced impact on weight loss compared to in-person training within a behavioral weight loss program for Black adults. Participants in the online group experienced a greater mean reduction in body weight (-2.92 kg) and BMI (-0.77 kg/m^2) compared to the in-person group (-0.91 kg and -0.27 kg/m^2, respectively). Additionally, the online group showed a slightly higher mean increase in self-regulation of eating behaviors (9.29 vs. 7.2) and a greater increase in social support for eating (30.43 vs. 24.1). However, the in-person group showed a greater increase in self-efficacy of eating behaviors (13.63 vs. 9.43) and a positive change in social support effectiveness (2.67) compared to a negative change in the online group (-9.0). These findings indicate that online delivery of family skills training could be an effective strategy for weight management, though specific aspects of social support and self-efficacy may vary by delivery method.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05981508, titled "Online Family Dyadic Skills Training for Black Adults in Behavioral Weight Loss Program", were posted on 2025-11-06 on clinicaltrials.gov.