BfedBwell Optimization Pilot

BfedBwell: Multiphase Optimization Strategy Pilot Trial of a Nutrition Intervention for Cancer Survivors With Overweight and Obesity

Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework, an engineering-based approach to efficiently and systematically develop, optimize, and evaluate behavioral interventions, this study will test three components: (1) 1:1 counseling with a registered dietitian, (2) behavioral skills development, and (3) group support for delivery alongside a core nutrition curriculum within a clinical exercise oncology program.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Cancer; Survivorship
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: BfedBwell - Group Support; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Behavioral Skills; Behavioral: BfedBwell - 1:1 Counseling; Behavioral: Program delivery; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum

Detailed Description

Individuals with experience in delivery of lifestyle (e.g., diet, physical activity) interventions will be recruited to deliver and evaluate the integrated BfedBwell intervention.

Cancer survivors with overweight/obesity who have completed active treatment will be recruited from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for participation in a 6-month cluster-randomized 2^3-factorial pilot optimization trial of the BfedBwell intervention. Feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated. Exploration of intervention effect on adherence to cancer survivorship guidelines, body composition, and cardiometabolic indicators of health will be used to determine a set of components that demonstrate patterns of efficacy.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 73
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Colorado
    • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
      • University of Colorado Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

For program delivery staff:

1. Men and women
2. Age ≥ 18 years
3. Speak English
4. Self-reported previous experience in the delivery of nutrition, exercise, or behavioral weight management programs

For intervention participants:

1. Men and women
2. Age 18-75 years
3. BMI 25-45 kg/m2
4. History of cancer within the past 10 years with a diagnosis of an adulthood cancer of any type
5. In maintenance or surveillance status, defined as completion of active cancer therapy (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) with curative intent at least 3 months and no more than 10 years prior to enrollment or active surveillance with no treatment; ongoing targeted or hormone therapies ≥3 months prior to intervention start date and/or ongoing maintenance therapy ≥1 year is permitted (exceptions to this timeframe for completion of other therapies can be made on a case-by-case basis by the PI if patients are tolerating therapy without adverse effects and will have completed active treatment or been in stable maintenance treatment prior to the intervention start date)
6. Have a primary care provider (or are willing to establish care with a primary care provider prior to study enrollment) to address medical issues which may arise during screening or study procedures/interventions and who will provide clearance to participate in a nutrition and exercise program
7. Ability and willingness to participate in a supervised exercise program; with ability assessed by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) and questions based upon National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines (note: any positive responses will trigger a required physician clearance form)
8. Speak English
9. Have access to a computer or smart phone and Internet to join Zoom meetings, complete questionnaires, and access/download the True Coach virtual exercise coaching sessions
10. Live or work within 30 miles of the AHWC (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the study PI on a case-by-case basis for highly motivated subjects)
11. Not be planning for major elective surgery, to travel for >2 consecutive weeks, or relocate/move during the intervention (~6 months)
12. No nicotine or tobacco use within previous 6 months
13. Agree to refrain from use of all nutritional supplements aside from those prescribed by a physician for the duration of the study
14. Capable and willing to give informed consent and understand exclusion criteria
15. Willing to attend weekly small group education sessions and some, none, or all of the following: monthly behavioral skills development sessions, weekly group support sessions and/or monthly 1:1 counseling held by a registered dietitian (RD)
16. Willing to attend up to two BfitBwell exercise sessions (one in person, one virtual) per week for first 12 weeks then once monthly in person and once weekly virtual sessions for second 12 weeks
17. Not meeting dietary guidelines [i.e., Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score <80 as assessed via NCI DHQ III food frequency questionnaire] or physical activity guidelines [i.e., <150 minutes moderate/vigorous activity per week via self-report on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire]

Exclusion Criteria

For program delivery staff:

None

For intervention participants:

1. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 2 or higher
2. Actively undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy with curative intent or within 3 months of completion of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment or recent initiation of targeted/hormonal therapy (<3 months) or maintenance therapy (<1 year) unless well-tolerated and deemed acceptable by PI on a case-by-case basis
3. Greater than 10 years post-active or maintenance therapy
4. Plans to relocate within the next 6 months
5. Plans for extended travel (>2 weeks) within the next 6 months

6. For females:

   1. Currently pregnant or lactating
   2. Pregnant within the past 6 months
   3. Planning to become pregnant in the next 18 months; sexually active women of childbearing potential may be enrolled if they have had a tubal ligation or use a reliable means of contraception
7. Any major surgery within the past 3 months or planned elective surgery during the intervention period, including mastectomy
8. Have completed treatment that significantly impacts digestion, metabolism, and/or food intake (e.g., surgical loss of esophagus, stomach, colon)
9. Recent (past 6 months) acute coronary event, unstable angina, coronary revascularization, stroke, or pulmonary embolism
10. Symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion, lightheadedness, syncope)
11. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as diastolic blood pressure >100 mmHg, systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg, or resting heart rate >100 bpm as measured in duplicate on the screening visit after 5 minutes of rest in a seated position (if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months)
12. Diabetes (history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5%, or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL as measured during the screening visit if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months) unless well controlled on metformin or DPP-V inhibitor monotherapy with hemoglobin A1c <8%
13. History of uncontrolled thyroid disorder. History of thyroid disease or current thyroid disease treated with a stable medication regimen is acceptable
14. Triglycerides >500 mg/dL as measured on the screening visit (if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months)
15. LDL cholesterol >200 mg/dL as measured on the screening visit (if screening is needed due to lack of updated medical record within previous 12 months)
16. Presence or history of other metabolic or chronic health problems which would impact ability to safely participate in a weight loss intervention involving diet and exercise: significant cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac valvular disease, significant gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, musculoskeletal, neurologic, hematologic, or psychiatric disease
17. Have started lipid-lowering, hypertension, or oral hypoglycemic medication in previous 3 months
18. Sustained use of prescription or over-the-counter medications known to significantly impact appetite, weight, or energy metabolism (e.g., obesity pharmacotherapeutics agents, appetite suppressants, lithium, stimulants, anti-psychotics, tricyclic antidepressants) with the exception of anti-endocrine or Her2 directed treatment for breast cancer and standard of care anti-emetic or anti-diarrheal agents.
19. Sustained use of systemic glucocorticoids (current or in the past 6 months) unless physiologic replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency
20. Previous obesity treatment with surgery or weight loss device, except: (1) liposuction and/or abdominoplasty if performed >1 year before screening, (2) lap banding if the band has been removed >1 year before screening, (3) intragastric balloon if the balloon has been removed >1 year before screening, (4) duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve if the sleeve has been removed >1 year before screening, or (5) AspireAssist or other endoscopically placed weight loss device if the device has been removed >1 year before screening
21. Participation within previous 6 months, current participation in, or planning to participate in any formal nutrition, weight loss, or physical activity programs or clinical trials over the next 6 months
22. Previous participation the BfitBwell exercise oncology program within the previous 3 years (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the study PI)
23. Nicotine or tobacco use (current or past 6 months)
24. Current alcohol or substance abuse as assessed by the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-Opener (CAGE) questionnaire (note: study PI will follow up if screener raises any concerns of substance abuse to determine final eligibility)
25. History of clinically diagnosed eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder. Score >20 on the Eating Attitudes Test (EATS-26) or pattern of response on the Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns (QEWP-5) suggestive of possible binge eating disorder or bulimia will require further assessment by the study MD to determine if it is appropriate for the subject to participate in the study
26. Current severe depression or history of severe depression within the previous year, based on Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) which in the opinion of the study MD would interfere with ability to adhere to the diet and exercise interventions and provide feedback on the interventions via questionnaires and focus groups
27. History of other significant psychiatric illness (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia, mania, bipolar disorder) which in the opinion of the study MD would interfere with ability to adhere to the diet and exercise interventions and provide feedback on the interventions via questionnaires and focus groups
28. Have medical or physical limitations or contraindications to engaging in physical activity (e.g., severe orthopedic conditions, paralysis) or are considered high-risk based on ACSM guidelines
29. Are cognitively unable to consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

9

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Program Provider; Providers will deliver and evaluate one or more components of the diet or exercise interventions	Behavioral: Program delivery; Delivery and evaluation of one or more intervention components
Experimental: Core Curriculum; Participants will receive core curriculum	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum and Group Support; Participants will receive core curriculum and group support	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Group Support; Structured group support sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum and Behavioral Skills; Participants will receive core curriculum and behavioral skills	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Behavioral Skills; Group-based behavioral skills development sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum, Behavioral Skills, and Group Support; Participants will receive core curriculum, behavioral skills, and group support	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Group Support; Structured group support sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Behavioral Skills; Group-based behavioral skills development sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum and 1:1 Counseling; Participants will receive core curriculum and 1:1 counseling	Behavioral: BfedBwell - 1:1 Counseling; Individual 1:1 counseling sessions with a registered dietitian; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum,1:1 Counseling, and Group Support; Participants will receive core curriculum, 1:1 counseling, and group support	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Group Support; Structured group support sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - 1:1 Counseling; Individual 1:1 counseling sessions with a registered dietitian; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum, 1:1 Counseling, and Behavioral Skills; Participants will receive core curriculum, 1:1 counseling, and behavioral skills	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Behavioral Skills; Group-based behavioral skills development sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - 1:1 Counseling; Individual 1:1 counseling sessions with a registered dietitian; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum
Experimental: Core Curriculum, 1:1 Counseling, Behavioral Skills, and Group Support; Participants will receive core curriculum, 1:1 counseling, behavioral skills, and group support	Behavioral: BfedBwell - Group Support; Structured group support sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Behavioral Skills; Group-based behavioral skills development sessions; Behavioral: BfedBwell - 1:1 Counseling; Individual 1:1 counseling sessions with a registered dietitian; Behavioral: BfedBwell - Core Curriculum; 12-week core nutrition education curriculum + 12-week tapered maintenance curriculum

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Determine the research protocol recruitment feasibility of the BfedBwell nutrition intervention	Recruitment will be assessed as the number of adults screened and the proportion of eligible screens who enroll.	24 weeks
Determine the research protocol adherence feasibility of the BfedBwell nutrition intervention	Adherence will be assessed as [# sessions attended/# sessions provided] for each BfedBwell component.	24 weeks
Determine the research protocol outcome assessment feasibility of the BfedBwell nutrition intervention	Outcome assessment rates will be assessed as [# completing assessments/# enrolled].	24 weeks
Determine the research protocol retention feasibility of the BfedBwell nutrition intervention	Retention will be assessed as [# of participants who complete the 24-week intervention/# of participants randomized].	24 weeks
Determine the intervention acceptability by participants during focus groups	Participants will be asked to participate in a 90-minute focus group to provide qualitative feedback regarding their experience and satisfaction with the intervention.	24 weeks
Determine the intervention feasibility by program delivery staff using Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM)	Upon completion of the intervention, program delivery staff will be asked to complete the Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). A Likert scale from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree) is used for each question; higher scores indicate greater intervention feasibility.	12 and 24 weeks
Determine the intervention acceptability by program delivery staff using Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)	Upon completion of the intervention, program delivery staff will be asked to complete the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM). A Likert scale from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree) is used for each question; higher scores indicate greater intervention acceptability.	12 and 24 weeks
Determine the intervention acceptability by program delivery staff using Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)	Upon completion of the intervention, program delivery staff will be asked to complete the Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM). A Likert scale from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree) is used for each question; higher scores indicate greater intervention appropriateness.	12 and 24 weeks
Determine the intervention acceptability by participants using the Net Promoter Score (NPS)	Participants will be asked to complete weekly ratings using the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Respondents are grouped as follows: 1) promoters (score 9-10) are loyal enthusiasts who will keep referring others and fueling growth, 2) passives (score 7-8) are satisfied but unenthusiastic customers who are vulnerable to competitive offerings, and 3) detractors (score 0-6) are unhappy customers who can impede growth with negative word-of-mouth. The final NPS score is calculated as % promoters - % detractors. NPS scores range from -100 to +100, with scores >0 indicating good acceptability.	12 and 24 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Identify a set of components that demonstrate patterns of efficacy for increased adherence to lifestyle recommendations	Determine the change in adherence to cancer survivorship guidelines as measured by World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) scoring criteria. Scores range from 0 to 7 points. A higher score reflects greater adherence to the recommendations.	12 and 24 weeks
Identify a set of components that demonstrate patterns of efficacy for weight loss	Determine the change in weight as measured by digital scale. A lower weight indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Identify a set of components that demonstrate patterns of efficacy for improvement in body composition	Determine the change in body composition as measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A lower body fat percentage indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure the change in systolic blood pressure to determine improved cardiometabolic health	Systolic blood pressure will be measured at specific time points during the trial. A lower systolic blood pressure indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure the change in diastolic blood pressure to determine improved cardiometabolic health	Diastolic blood pressure will be measured at specific time points during the trial. A lower diastolic blood pressure indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure changes in total cholesterol to determine improved cardiometabolic health	Total cholesterol will be measured at specific time points during the trial. A lower total cholesterol indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure changes in LDL cholesterol to determine improved cardiometabolic health	LDL cholesterol will be measured at specific time points during the trial. A lower LDL cholesterol indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure changes in HDL cholesterol to determine improved cardiometabolic health	HDL cholesterol will be measured at specific time points during the trial. A higher HDL cholesterol indicates an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure changes in triglycerides to determine improved cardiometabolic health	Triglycerides will be measured at specific time points during the trial. Lower triglycerides indicate an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure changes in glucose to determine improved cardiometabolic health	Glucose levels will be measured at specific time points during the trial. Lower glucose levels indicate an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Measure changes in insulin to determine improved cardiometabolic health	Insulin levels will be measured at specific time points during the trial. Lower insulin levels indicate an improvement.	12 and 24 weeks
Intervention safety determined by number of adverse events	Overall rates of study-related mild, moderate, severe, and serious adverse events (AEs) will be tracked by study staff.	12 and 24 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Emily B Hill, PhD, RDN, University of Colorado, Denver

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 5, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 13, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): December 28, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 18, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 14, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Exercise; Obesity; Cancer; Overweight; Healthy lifestyle behaviors; Diet, food, and nutrition
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nutrition Disorders; Overnutrition; Body Weight; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Neoplasms; Overweight; Obesity; Motor Activity; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services; Community Health Services; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Mental Health Services; Counseling
• Other Study ID Numbers: 23-2151.cc; 1K99CA287061-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No