Family navigators to help children with obesity stay in clinic treatment
Tests whether family navigation helps children with obesity keep attending treatment.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Applying Navigation and Care to Help Ongoing Retention
Key facts
- Where
- Edmonton, 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 6 and 17 years old?
Source: NCT07834632, who can take part
Where in Canada
- University of AlbertaEdmonton, 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
- University of Alberta
- Trial code
- NCT07834632
- Record updated
- 22 September 2026
- Original description
Canada's health care system has established numerous clinics over the past 20 years to treat childhood obesity. However, up to 80% of children at these clinics drop out before they finish treatment. This is one of the most difficult challenges in managing childhood obesity, since even the most effective treatments cannot help children who drop out. However, children who stay in treatment longer are more likely to manage obesity successfully. This randomized controlled trial will test whether Family Navigation (FN) helps reduce drop out from obesity treatment. Overall, this study will last 5 years. The investigators will enroll 252 children aged 6 to 17 with obesity. These children will receive treatment at obesity management clinics in Calgary, Mississauga, or Ottawa. For the 24-month intervention period, one group of children (half of those enrolled) will receive FN + Usual Care; the other group will receive only Usual Care. Navigators trained in motivational interviewing and bias/stigma reduction will work with children receiving FN and their families to overcome barriers that limit their access to health services and support. Navigators will offer additional services and resources, such as parking passes for clinic visits and supportive text messages between appointments. FN is designed to support the obesity management care received by children and their families. Better access to care may help children and their families working with navigators to stay engaged and attend more treatment appointments. Ultimately, they may be more likely to succeed in managing obesity.Read full original descriptionShow less
Applying Navigation and Care to Help Ongoing Retention (ANCHOR): The ANCHOR Trial
Canada's health care system has established numerous clinics over the past 20 years to treat childhood obesity. However, up to 80% of children at these clinics drop out before they finish treatment. This is one of the most difficult challenges in managing childhood obesity, since even the most effective treatments cannot help children who drop out. However, children who stay in treatment longer are more likely to manage obesity successfully. This randomized controlled trial will test whether Family Navigation (FN) helps reduce drop out from obesity treatment. Overall, this study will last 5 years. The investigators will enroll 252 children aged 6 to 17 with obesity. These children will receive treatment at obesity management clinics in Calgary, Mississauga, or Ottawa. For the 24-month intervention period, one group of children (half of those enrolled) will receive FN + Usual Care; the other group will receive only Usual Care. Navigators trained in motivational interviewing and bias/stigma reduction will work with children receiving FN and their families to overcome barriers that limit their access to health services and support. Navigators will offer additional services and resources, such as parking passes for clinic visits and supportive text messages between appointments. FN is designed to support the obesity management care received by children and their families. Better access to care may help children and their families working with navigators to stay engaged and attend more treatment appointments. Ultimately, they may be more likely to succeed in managing obesity.
Inclusion: be 6-17 years old,; have a BMI ≥97th percentile,; have a primary caregiver (parent/guardian) agree to participate.
Exclusion: participants will be excluded if caregivers cannot communicate in English since the Family Navigation intervention will be available in English only.