Behavioral Sleep Intervention for Childhood Obesity

(Rx SLEEP Trial)

This trial explores two methods to help children aged 6-11 improve sleep to address obesity. One group will work directly with a nurse to learn effective sleep strategies through the Optimize Sleep Primary Care (OSPC) program, while the other will receive educational materials about the benefits of a good night's sleep. Families will participate in assessments to track progress, including questionnaires, sleep and activity monitoring, and dietary reports. This trial suits families whose children sleep less than 9 hours a night and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) within a specific range. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to valuable research that could enhance children's health and well-being.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes participants who use medications that may impact sleep or weight status.

Research has shown that behavioral sleep programs for children are generally safe and well-tolerated. These programs aim to improve sleep habits and routines without medication or other medical treatments. Studies have not reported significant negative effects from similar methods.

In this trial, children will either work with nurses to improve their sleep or learn about the benefits of good sleep. Both approaches emphasize guidance and education rather than physical treatments, reducing the chance of side effects.

Unlike traditional treatments for childhood obesity, which often focus on diet and exercise, the Behavioral Sleep Intervention targets sleep patterns to help manage weight. Researchers are excited about this approach because it emphasizes optimizing sleep as a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, potentially leading to more sustainable weight management. By enhancing sleep quality, this intervention may also improve children's overall well-being and energy levels, distinguishing it from standard options that don't address sleep directly.

Research shows that improving sleep can help manage childhood obesity. In this trial, researchers will assign participants to one of two groups. One group will receive the Optimize Sleep Primary Care (OSPC) intervention, which aims to improve both sleep quality and duration for children. The other group will receive Sleep Education, which includes advice on sleep, diet, and exercise. Previous studies found that when nurses helped children sleep better, the kids achieved healthier weights. Additionally, research suggests that good sleep habits play a key role in preventing and managing obesity in children, as evidenced by improvements in BMI (Body Mass Index) percentiles.¹²³⁶⁷