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NCT06864208

Addressing Weight Bias Internalization to Improve Adolescent Weight Management Outcomes: Randomized Pilot Trial

Active, Not Recruiting
NAAges 13–17InterventionalTreatment
The Miriam Hospital
~64 participants
Updated 2026-07-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Behavioral Weight ManagementWeight Bias Internalization

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Total score on the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M)
Measured over Baseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)
+6 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Weight
Body Weight
Weight Bias
Weight Stigma
Physiological Stress
Biological Markers of Stress
Biological Markers of Inflammation
Eating Behaviors

Explore related trials

Obesity

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Rhode Island1

Study leadership

  • Katherine Darling, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The Miriam Hospital

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Speak English;
13-17 years of age;
BMI at or above \>95th%ile for age and sex;
Have at least one caregiver available to provide consent and participate in sessions;
Agree to study participation;

Exclusion

Cognitive impairment or developmental delay impairing participation in a group setting;
Current participation in a weight management program or recent weight loss of 5% of body weight or more;
Medical condition known to impact weight or that would otherwise prevent participation;
Current use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists;

What this trial measures

  • Total score on the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M)Baseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    The validated Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) assesses the degree to which people apply negative weight-based stereotypes to themselves and judge themselves negatively due to their weight. Total scores range from 1 to 77, with higher scores indicating a greater degree of WBI.

  • Total score on the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ)Baseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    The Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) measures weight-related self-devaluation and fear of enacted stigma. Total scores range from 12 to 60, with higher scores indicating a greater degree of internalized stigma.

  • Total score on the weight-related teasing sub-scale of the Perception of Teasing Scale (POTS)Baseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    The validated Perception of Teasing Scale (POTS) will be used to measure adolescents' experiences of weight based stigma separate from WBI. The scale has two sub-scales: a weight-related teasing sub-scale and a competency-related teasing subscale. Total scores on the weight-related teasing sub-scale range from 6-30, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of historical weight-based teasing.

  • Average (AUC) for diurnal cortisolBaseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    Samples will be collected by teens at home over the course of 2 consecutive days following each assessment timepoint. A total of six samples will be collected with three samples each day: a sample immediately upon waking, another 30-60 minutes after waking, and a final sample at bedtime. Area under the curve (AUC) will be calculated for diurnal cortisol. The average AUC over the course of two days at each assessment timepoint will be used in analyses.

  • Concentration of c-reactive protein (CRP)Baseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    Circulating concentration of CRP will be determined using a high-sensitivity assay based on particle enhanced immunonephelometry.

  • Concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6)Baseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    IL-6 concentration will be determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

  • Dysregulated Eating BehaviorsBaseline, 4-weeks post-intervention start, Post-Treatment (20 weeks)

    Disordered eating will be measured using the 36-item Eating Disordered Examination Questionnaire.