School- and Family-Based Obesity Prevention for Pakistani Primary School Children
Official title: School and Family-Based Multifaceted Intervention Program for Preventing Obesity in Primary School Children in Pakistan: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Run by Central South University · NCT07616232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests whether a 9-month school- and family-based plan can reduce overweight and obesity among primary school children in Punjab, Pakistan.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 2340 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Central South University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 8, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 8, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 8, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07616232 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are children aged 6-12 years in grades 3–5 attending selected primary schools in Lahore, Sahiwal, or Bahawalnagar whose parents consent and who do not have medical conditions that prevent safe physical activity.
✕Probably not a fit
Some children may not experience a reduction in overweight or obesity despite participation, particularly if adherence to activities is low or external factors limit effectiveness.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In a cluster randomized design, 26 schools across Lahore, Sahiwal, and Bahawalnagar will be assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention includes 18 health-education sessions for children, daily physical activity, monthly growth monitoring, and parent workshops with weekly messages and monthly progress feedback via WhatsApp or SMS. The trial has two phases: a 9-month primary efficacy period and a 12-month sustainability follow-up to assess long-term effects. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group assignment, while participants and school staff cannot be blinded due to the behavioral nature of the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce rates of overweight and obesity among children and provide a scalable model for school- and family-based prevention in similar settings.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests school- and family-based approaches can reduce obesity risk factors, though settings and results vary; this trial tests a tailored program in Pakistan.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6-12 years enrolled in grades 3, 4, or 5 of selected primary schools in Lahore, Sahiwal, or Bahawalnagar, Pakistan * Written informed consent provided by parent or primary caregiver * Child assent obtained * Children without any medical conditions that prevent participation in physical activities Exclusion Criteria: * Medical history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, hepatitis, or nephritis * Obesity caused by endocrine diseases or side effects of drugs * Abnormal physical development (e.g., dwarfism, gigantism) * Physical deformity (e.g., severe scoliosis, pectus carinatum, limp, obvious O-leg or X-leg) * Inability to participate in school sport activities * Weight loss by vomiting or taking drugs during the past three months * Participation in another obesity prevention or treatment program * For schools: planned relocation or cancellation within the next two years
Where it's running
-
Selected Primary Schools in Lahore, Sahiwal, and Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Qin Jiabi, PHD — Kunming Medical University
- Study coordinator: Binish Islam, PHD
- Email: binish.islam@hotmail.com
- Phone: +8618874091157
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
School-based 12-hour time-restricted eating to prevent and control childhood obesity
This project tests whether a 12-hour time-restricted eating schedule delivered through schools helps prevent and control obesity in fourth-grade children.
-
Healthy Children, Healthy Communities: Helping rural family childcare homes improve preschoolers' diets
This program will see if online training, one-on-one coaching, and mealtime feedback for rural family childcare providers helps 3–5-year-old children eat more fruits and vegetables and supports healthier mealtime practices.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.