Actively Recruiting
Wakaya: Rising Up for Choctaw Youth Health Program to Improve Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Reduce Substance Use in Choctaw Youth Ages 12-19
Led by University of Washington · Updated on 2025-02-20
176
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Washington
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the Wakaya: Rising Up for Choctaw Youth Health program in a randomized waitlist-control trial involving Choctaw youth ages 12 to 19. This study aims to improve physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviors, promote healthy eating habits, and delay or decrease alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. The program is an experiential, outdoor, nature-based intervention grounded in Choctaw values that enhances motivation and leadership skills to support healthy choices. Participants are assigned either to start the Wakaya program immediately or after a 3-month wait. The program includes up to 20 group sessions over 3 months focusing on Choctaw history, traditions, and health beliefs, combined with outdoor activities like ropes courses, walking, and gardening. Participants attend an overnight culture camp and walk the Choctaw Trail of Tears. From months 4 to 12, there are group meetings for planning community leadership events, including motivational interviewing, digital storytelling, and a Traditional Games Olympiad. Fitbit devices and a social media platform support activity tracking and peer encouragement. During the study, participants complete baseline and follow-up assessments including physical health measures (BMI, weight, puberty age), accelerometer activity tracking, a 12-minute run or walk, and computer-assisted behavioral surveys at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 and 6 months later. The study measures changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, food and beverage habits, alcohol and drug use, and leadership development. Selected participants and community members participate in focus groups to assess the program's ripple effects. Total participation spans up to 12 months with scheduled evaluations throughout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Wakaya: Rising Up for Choctaw Youth Health
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be enrolled in Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO)
- Live within CNO tribal region for at least 12 months
- Ages between 12 and 19 years
- Meet at least one of the following: consume sweetened beverages or processed/fast food 2 or more times per week; or spend more than 540 minutes sitting or lying down daily or over 2 hours per day on screen recreation; or spend less than 60 minutes per day outdoors or less than 2.5 hours per week in moderate or vigorous physical activity; or engage in more than 2 hours per day of TV or video game recreation
You will not qualify if you...
- Opioid or methamphetamine use 2 or more times in the past month
- Allergic reactions to food, plants, or insects causing breathing difficulty, hospitalization, or anaphylaxis
- Disability preventing walking or exercise
- Aggressive, violent, combative, or inappropriate behaviors
- Inability to follow directions
- Psychotic symptoms
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Screening mainly in-person, some may be over phone
Duration - 1 week
Participants complete a baseline physical health assessment including BMI, puberty status, a 12-minute walk/run test, and wear an accelerometer for 7 days. They also complete a computer-assisted behavioral health survey.
1 baseline visit (in-person) plus 7 days wearing an accelerometer
Duration - Months 1 to 12
Participants engage in up to 20 group sessions on Choctaw history, culture, and health with experiential outdoor activities, up to 3 individual motivational interviewing sessions, attend an overnight culture camp, walk the Choctaw Trail of Tears, and participate in community leadership events and digital storytelling training.
Up to 20 group sessions in Months 1-3; Overnight culture camp in Months 2-3; Up to 6 group meetings plus individual booster session Months 4-12
Duration - Months 3 to 9
Participants complete behavioral health surveys immediately post-intervention, at 3 months post, and 6 months post-intervention to assess changes in physical activity, food and beverage habits, substance use, and other health measures.
3 survey visits (immediate post, 3 months post, 6 months post)
Duration - Post-intervention
Selected participants and community stakeholders participate in focus groups to discuss the impact of the program.
Focus groups with a subset of participants and stakeholders
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Durant, Oklahoma, United States, 74571
Actively Recruiting
2
University of Washington, IWRI, School of Social Work
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98105
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tee Benally
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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