Think AHEAD (A Healthy Eating And Drinking) Study
Stopped early · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Obesity
In brief
Advice to increase water consumption as part of a weight-reducing diet - typically to 8 cups (64 fl oz, \~2 L) per day ("8x8" water recommendation) - is almost ubiquitously recommended by healthcare professionals. Many believe that water promotes weight loss through numerous physiological mechanisms. However, only limited observational data and virtually no experimental data exist regarding the effects of water consumption on body weight. In this study, we propose a randomized controlled pilot study in which two groups of overweight adolescents will receive a standard weight loss regimen, either with (experimental intervention) or without (control intervention) additional advice and support to increase water consumption. We will utilize individual sessions, an innovative text messaging protocol, and motivational telephone calls to promote adherence to the interventions. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate feasibility and obtain preliminary efficacy data, to inform design of a future, definitive study. It is hypothesized that increasing water consumption will improve the efficacy of a standard weight-reducing diet and will lead to decreased consumption of energy-containing beverages, decreased total energy intake, improved diet quality, improved immune status, and improved cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors. This simple behavioral intervention will be feasible and will significantly increase water consumption among participants in the experimental vs. control group.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01044134
- Run by
- Boston Children's Hospital
- People needed
- 38
- Starts
- 2011-02-01
- Expected to finish
- 2014-06-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2015-07-29
Who can join
Age: 12 and older, up to 17. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- BMI ≥ 85th percentile for sex and age according to CDC growth charts
- Access to a working telephone and cell phone
- At least one parent willing and able to participate in the intervention with the subject
- Residing in predominately one household (no more than one weekend every two weeks in a secondary household)
- Medical clearance from a primary care provider or treating physician to rule out any major medical illness, disability, or disorder (e.g., liver disease, renal failure, cancer)
You may not qualify if…
- Intake of more than 4 cups (250 mL per cup) of water per day
- BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2
- Currently smoking (> 1 cigarette in the past week)
- Major surgery within the previous 6 months
- Does not have a primary care provider
- Physician diagnosis of a major medical illness (e.g. diabetes)
- Previous diagnosis of an eating disorder
- Physical, mental, or cognitive handicaps that prevent participation
- Chronic use of medications that may affect study outcomes (e.g. stimulants or diuretics)
- Another member of the family (first degree relative) or household participating in the study
- A friend, classmate or coworker participating in the study with whom they have contact with one or more times per week
- Girls who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months, lactating, or within 6 months postpartum
Where it is running
- Children's Hospital Boston — Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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