Randomized Trial of a Healthy Weight Intervention for Youth with Mental Illness (CHAMPION)

Youth with mental illness have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to youth in the general population. Focusing on overweight and obesity in youth with mental illness is critical to prevent premature cardiovascular disease in this group. Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, this trial designed and tested a healthy weight intervention for youth with mental illness.

The CHAMPION trial was a randomized clinical trial recruiting youth from outpatient mental health clinics in Baltimore who are ages 8 to 18 years and are overweight or obese. A health coach provided the 12-month intervention, which included lifestyle counseling and support for weight management, a healthy diet and increased physical activity incorporating techniques to engage both the youth and parents. (R01MH110968)

Investigators 

• Gail Daumit, MD, MHS, Principal Investigator
• Lawrence Appel, MD, MPH
• Tammy Brady, MD, MPH
• Jeanne Charleston, PhD, RN
• Arlene Dalcin, RD, MS
• Faith Dickerson, PhD, MPH
• Robert Findling, MD, MBA
• Elizabeth Getzoff, PhD
• Gerald Jerome, PhD
• Carmen Lopez-Arviz, MD
• Ann Scheimann, MD, MBA
• Ekaterina Stepanova, MD, PhD
• Rachel Thornton, MD, PhD
• Nae-Yuh Wang, PhD
• Deborah Young, PhD

Publications 

• Physical Activity Levels and Screen Time among Youth with Overweight/Obesity Using Mental Health Services (Jerome et al., Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2022)