Optimizing a lifestyle intervention for cancer survivors with overweight or obesity

BfedBwell: Multiphase Optimization Strategy Pilot Trial of a Nutrition Intervention for Cancer Survivors With Overweight and Obesity

This study is testing a new lifestyle program that combines diet counseling, behavior skills, and group support to help cancer survivors who are overweight or obese improve their health and stick to survivorship guidelines.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 74 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Aurora, Colorado)
• Trial ID: NCT06184256 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study employs the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework to systematically develop and evaluate a behavioral intervention aimed at cancer survivors with overweight or obesity. Participants will receive a combination of 1:1 counseling with a registered dietitian, behavioral skills development, and group support, all integrated within a clinical exercise oncology program. The study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention while exploring its effects on adherence to survivorship guidelines, body composition, and cardiometabolic health indicators over a 6-month period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are cancer survivors aged 18-75 years with a BMI between 25-45 kg/m2 who have completed active treatment within the last 10 years.

Not a fit: Patients who are currently undergoing active cancer treatment or have a BMI outside the specified range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the health and quality of life for cancer survivors struggling with overweight or obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing similar behavioral intervention approaches have shown promising results in improving health outcomes for cancer survivors.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For program delivery staff:

1. Men and women
2. Age ≥ 18 years
3. Speak English
4. Self-reported previous experience in the delivery of nutrition, exercise, or behavioral weight management programs

For intervention participants:

1. Men and women
2. Age 18-75 years
3. BMI 25-45 kg/m2
4. History of cancer within the past 10 years with a diagnosis of an adulthood cancer of any type
5. In maintenance or surveillance status, defined as completion of active cancer therapy (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) with curative intent at least 3 months and no more than 10 years prior to enrollment or active surveillance with no treatment; ongoing targeted or hormone therapies ≥3 months prior to intervention start date and/or ongoing maintenance therapy ≥1 year is permitted (exceptions to this timeframe for completion of other therapies can be made on a case-by-case basis by the PI if patients are tolerating therapy without adverse effects and will have completed active treatment or been in stable maintenance treatment prior to the intervention start date)
6. Have a primary care provider (or are willing to establish care with a primary care provider prior to study enrollment) to address medical issues which may arise during screening or study procedures/interventions and who will provide clearance to participate in a nutrition and exercise program
7. Ability and willingness to participate in a supervised exercise program; with ability assessed by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) and questions based upon National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines (note: any positive responses will trigger a required physician clearance form)
8. Speak English
9. Have access to a computer or smart phone and Internet to join Zoom meetings, complete questionnaires, and access/download the True Coach virtual exercise coaching sessions
10. Live or work within 30 miles of the AHWC (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the study PI on a case-by-case basis for highly motivated subjects)
11. Not be planning for major elective surgery, to travel for \>2 consecutive weeks, or relocate/move during the intervention (\~6 months)
12. No nicotine or tobacco use within previous 6 months
13. Agree to refrain from use of all nutritional supplements aside from those prescribed by a physician for the duration of the study
14. Capable and willing to give informed consent and understand exclusion criteria
15. Willing to attend weekly small group education sessions and some, none, or all of the following: monthly behavioral skills development sessions, weekly group support sessions and/or monthly 1:1 counseling held by a registered dietitian (RD)
16. Willing to attend up to two BfitBwell exercise sessions (one in person, one virtual) per week for first 12 weeks then once monthly in person and once weekly virtual sessions for second 12 weeks
17. Not meeting dietary guidelines \[i.e., Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score \<80 as assessed via NCI DHQ III food frequency questionnaire\] or physical activity guidelines \[i.e., \<150 minutes moderate/vigorous activity per week via self-report on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire\]

Exclusion Criteria

For program delivery staff:

None

For intervention participants:

1. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 2 or higher
2. Actively undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy with curative intent or within 3 months of completion of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment or recent initiation of targeted/hormonal therapy (\<3 months) or maintenance therapy (\<1 year) unless well-tolerated and deemed acceptable by PI on a case-by-case basis
3. Greater than 10 years post-active or maintenance therapy
4. Plans to relocate within the next 6 months
5. Plans for extended travel (\>2 weeks) within the next 6 months
6. For females:

   1. Currently pregnant or lactating
   2. Pregnant within the past 6 months
   3. Planning to become pregnant in the next 18 months; sexually active women of childbearing potential may be enrolled if they have had a tubal ligation or use a reliable means of contraception
7. Any major surgery within the past 3 months or planned elective surgery during the intervention period, including mastectomy
8. Have completed treatment that significantly impacts digestion, metabolism, and/or food intake (e.g., surgical loss of esophagus, stomach, colon)
9. Recent (past 6 months) acute coronary event, unstable angina, coronary revascularization, stroke, or pulmonary embolism
10. Symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion, lightheadedness, syncope)
11. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as diastolic blood pressure \>100 mmHg, systolic blood pressure \>160 mmHg, or resting heart rate \>100 bpm as measured in duplicate on the screening visit after 5 minutes of rest in a seated position (if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months)
12. Diabetes (history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5%, or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL as measured during the screening visit if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months) unless well controlled on metformin or DPP-V inhibitor monotherapy with hemoglobin A1c \<8%
13. History of uncontrolled thyroid disorder. History of thyroid disease or current thyroid disease treated with a stable medication regimen is acceptable
14. Triglycerides \>500 mg/dL as measured on the screening visit (if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months)
15. LDL cholesterol \>200 mg/dL as measured on the screening visit (if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months)
16. Presence or history of other metabolic or chronic health problems which would impact ability to safely participate in a weight loss intervention involving diet and exercise: significant cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac valvular disease, significant gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, musculoskeletal, neurologic, hematologic, or psychiatric disease
17. Have started lipid-lowering, hypertension, or oral hypoglycemic medication in previous 3 months
18. Sustained use of prescription or over-the-counter medications known to significantly impact appetite, weight, or energy metabolism (e.g., obesity pharmacotherapeutics agents, appetite suppressants, lithium, stimulants, anti-psychotics, tricyclic antidepressants) with the exception of anti-endocrine or Her2 directed treatment for breast cancer and standard of care anti-emetic or anti-diarrheal agents.
19. Sustained use of systemic glucocorticoids (current or in the past 6 months) unless physiologic replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency
20. Previous obesity treatment with surgery or weight loss device, except: (1) liposuction and/or abdominoplasty if performed \>1 year before screening, (2) lap banding if the band has been removed \>1 year before screening, (3) intragastric balloon if the balloon has been removed \>1 year before screening, (4) duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve if the sleeve has been removed \>1 year before screening, or (5) AspireAssist or other endoscopically placed weight loss device if the device has been removed \>1 year before screening
21. Participation within previous 6 months, current participation in, or planning to participate in any formal nutrition, weight loss, or physical activity programs or clinical trials over the next 6 months
22. Previous participation the BfitBwell exercise oncology program within the previous 3 years (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the study PI)
23. Nicotine or tobacco use (current or past 6 months)
24. Current alcohol or substance abuse as assessed by the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-Opener (CAGE) questionnaire (note: study PI will follow up if screener raises any concerns of substance abuse to determine final eligibility)
25. History of clinically diagnosed eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder. Score \>20 on the Eating Attitudes Test (EATS-26) or pattern of response on the Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns (QEWP-5) suggestive of possible binge eating disorder or bulimia will require further assessment by the study MD to determine if it is appropriate for the subject to participate in the study
26. Current severe depression or history of severe depression within the previous year, based on Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) which in the opinion of the study MD would interfere with ability to adhere to the diet and exercise interventions and provide feedback on the interventions via questionnaires and focus groups
27. History of other significant psychiatric illness (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia, mania, bipolar disorder) which in the opinion of the study MD would interfere with ability to adhere to the diet and exercise interventions and provide feedback on the interventions via questionnaires and focus groups
28. Have medical or physical limitations or contraindications to engaging in physical activity (e.g., severe orthopedic conditions, paralysis) or are considered high-risk based on ACSM guidelines
29. Are cognitively unable to consent

Where this trial is running

Aurora, Colorado

• University of Colorado Cancer Center — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Emily B Hill, PhD, RDN — University of Colorado, Denver
• Study coordinator: Claudia Schaefer

Conditions Survivorship; Cancer; Overweight; Obesity; Diet, food, and nutrition; Exercise; Healthy lifestyle behaviors