BfedBwell Proof-of-Concept Pilot

Individuals with experience in delivery of lifestyle (e.g., diet, physical activity) interventions will be recruited to deliver and evaluate the integrated BfedBwell + BfitBwell 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 12-week single-arm study of the integrated BfedBwell + BfitBwell 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 evaluate proof-of-concept prior to advancing to efficacy testing.

Inclusion criteria

For program delivery staff:

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

For intervention participants:

• Men and women
• Age 18-75 years
• Body Mass Index 25-45 kg/m2
• Completion of active cancer therapy with curative intent at least three months and no more than five years prior to enrollment; ongoing hormone therapy is permitted
• 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
• 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 guidelines (note: any positive responses will trigger a required physician clearance form)
• Speak English
• Have access to a computer or smart phone and Internet
• Live or work within 30 miles of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the study PI on a case-by-case basis for highly motivated subjects)
• Not be planning to travel for >2 consecutive weeks or relocate/move during the intervention
• Agree to refrain from use of all nutritional supplements aside from those prescribed by a physician for the duration of the study
• Capable and willing to give informed consent and understand exclusion criteria
• Willing to attend weekly small group sessions (behavioral skills development and/or group support) and/or 1:1 counseling held by a registered dietitian (RD) and attend up to two BfitBwell exercise sessions per week
• Not meeting dietary guidelines [i.e., Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score <80 as assessed via National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire III (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:

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 2 or higher
• Actively undergoing cancer therapy or within 3 months of completion of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment
• Greater than 5 years post-active therapy
• Plans to relocate within the next 6 months
• Plans for extended travel (>2 weeks) within the next 6 months
• For females:

• Currently pregnant or lactating
• Pregnant within the past 6 months
• 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
• Any major surgery within the past 3 months, including mastectomy
• Have completed treatment that significantly impacts digestion, metabolism, and/or food intake (e.g., surgical loss of esophagus, stomach, colon)
• Recent (past 6 months) acute coronary event, unstable angina, coronary revascularization, stroke, or pulmonary embolism
• Symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion, lightheadedness, syncope)
• 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)
• Diabetes (history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hemoglobin A1c >7.5%, 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 alone
• History of uncontrolled thyroid disorder. History of thyroid disease or current thyroid disease treated with a stable medication regimen is acceptable
• 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)
• 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)
• 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
• Have started lipid-lowering, hypertension, or oral hypoglycemic medication in previous 3 months
• 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.
• Sustained use of systemic glucocorticoids (current or in the past 6 months) unless physiologic replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency
• 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
• 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
• Previous participation the BfitBwell exercise oncology program
• 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)
• 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
• Current severe depression or history of severe depression within the previous year, based on Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
• 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
• 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 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines
• Are cognitively unable to consent