Trauma Therapy for Children Bullied Over Their Weight
Tests a trauma therapy in children bullied about weight who have obesity.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children
Key facts
- Where
- London, CanadaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 10 and 17 years old?
Source: NCT07685990, who can take part
Where in Canada
- London Health Sciences CentreLondon, CanadaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Western University
- Trial code
- NCT07685990
- Record updated
- 6 July 2026
- Original description
The goal of this feasibility study is to learn whether a trauma therapy intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced weight-based bullying can be successfully delivered within a pediatric weight management program. The intervention is informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) principles and is designed to address trauma-related distress, body image concerns, emotional difficulties, and eating-related challenges associated with weight-based bullying. The main questions this study aims to answer are:Read full original descriptionShow less
Trauma Therapy for Weight-Based Bullying in Children Informed by TF-CBT Principles: A Feasibility Study
The goal of this feasibility study is to learn whether a trauma therapy intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced weight-based bullying can be successfully delivered within a pediatric weight management program. The intervention is informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) principles and is designed to address trauma-related distress, body image concerns, emotional difficulties, and eating-related challenges associated with weight-based bullying. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Can this trauma therapy intervention be feasibly implemented within the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre? * Is the intervention acceptable and helpful for participating children, adolescents, and caregivers? * Are exploratory changes observed in trauma symptoms, emotional well-being, self-esteem, eating-related concerns, and weight-related distress following participation in the intervention?
Participants will:
* Participate in approximately 12 weekly virtual therapy sessions, with flexibility for additional sessions if clinically needed * Complete questionnaires before and after treatment related to emotional well-being, trauma symptoms, eating-related concerns, and body image * Participate in selected caregiver-supported sessions during treatment * Optionally complete a brief feedback interview about their experience in the program after treatment is completed
The study will also examine recruitment, attendance, treatment completion, and participant satisfaction to help determine whether this intervention can be implemented in routine clinical care settings.
Inclusion: Children and adolescents aged 10-17 years enrolled in the HEAL Program at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre; Self-reported experiences of weight-based bullying or weight-related teasing associated with emotional distress; Clinically appropriate for outpatient trauma therapy participation as determined by the study team; Ability to participate in virtual therapy sessions in English; Willingness of both participant and caregiver to participate in study procedures and intervention components; Ability of the participant and caregiver to provide informed assent/consent.
Exclusion: Concurrent participation in other trauma-focused psychotherapy or interventions targeting trauma symptoms; Acute psychiatric risk requiring a higher level of care (e.g.: active suicidal ideation with intent or plan, recent suicide attempt requiring crisis intervention, psychosis or loss of reality testing, severe psychiatric instability); Severe eating disorder requiring specialized or intensive treatment; Uncontrolled or medically unstable conditions requiring urgent or intensive intervention; Developmental or cognitive conditions that significantly impair participation in TF-CBT; Pregnancy; Lack of caregiver availability for treatment participation; Not able to do virtual sessions.