Could the COACH trial be right for your family?

Sponsored by Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has launched a research study, the COACH trial, to test different ways to help children and their families improve their health through lifestyle changes delivered by primary care clinics in communities in Louisiana and Tennessee. The COACH Trial is enrolling 900 children ages 5 to 17 with obesity, which is classified as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex. Patients and their parents are being recruited through urban, suburban and rural doctor’s offices in Tennessee and Louisiana.

Families will receive weight management treatment at their child’s primary care clinic, with healthcare providers sharing guidance on healthy eating, physical activity, reducing screen time, improving sleep and engaged parenting. The care team will include the child’s primary pediatric healthcare providers, clinical nutritionists and community resource counselors to connect families to local resources. The primary outcome measure is weight change over 12 months, with secondary outcomes including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, media use and quality of life. Additionally, researchers will assess the reach, feasibility and accessibility for patients and healthcare providers. Those interested in participating and enrolling their child can explore more information on the trial at joincoach.org.