Family-Based Weight Wellness Treatment Using Food is Medicine and Group Medical Visits for Adolescents and Parents

What this Trial Is About

This research evaluates a new family-based lifestyle medicine program designed to support weight wellness in adolescents and their parents. It combines group Shared Medical Appointments SMAs with medically tailored groceries and culinary medicine classes. The goal is to provide holistic weight management through community engagement, family connection, clinical care, and nutrition support for youth aged 12 to 17 years and their caregivers. Participants join one of three groups SMA group visits only SMA visits plus twelve months of medically tailored groceries and six months of culinary medicine classes or SMA visits plus medically tailored groceries without the cooking classes. Monthly group visits include separate sessions for parents and adolescents, led by healthcare professionals, focusing on nutrition education, behavioral support, individualized care plans, and goal setting. Families receiving groceries get tailored food support aligned with clinical goals such as weight and blood sugar control. During the 12-month intervention, participants attend monthly group visits that include education and goal review. Adolescents and parents engage in separate and joint activities to promote healthy habits. Researchers assess changes in BMI z-score, waist circumference, laboratory markers, physical activity, sleep, media use, and quality of life. A follow-up period extends to 18 months to evaluate sustained effects. Participation involves both in-person and telehealth sessions, with ongoing monitoring throughout the program.

Family-Based Weight Wellness Treatment Through Food is Medicine and Group Medical Visits in Pediatric and Adult Primary Care