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NCT Number: NCT07033767

Exploring a Natural Solution for Childhood Obesity

This study aims to assess the safety tolerability, adherence and effectiveness of genistein as an anti-obesity treatment for children and adolescents. The primary goal is determining how well genistein is tolerated and adhered to by pediatric patients with obesity. Secondary goals include evaluating its impact on body mass index z-scores and cardiometabolic risk factors, such as inflammation.

Participants aged 4-18 will be recruited from the Paediatric HEAL (Healthy Eating, Activity & Lifestyle) Program at the Children's Hospital - London Health Science Center in London, Ontario. They will receive genistein treatment over 6 months, with interim assessments at 3 and 6 months to monitor efficacy, safetytolerability, and adherence, and efficacy, and potentially increase the dose at the 3-month visit. A final assessment will occur after a 3-month washout to observe any lasting effects.

Blood and urine samples will be collected to analyze various adherence and health markers, including inflammatory and cardiometabolic factors. For participants who are of childbearing potential and have had their first menses, the blood analysis will also include pregnancy testing. Laboratory testing will be performed at baseline, at three and six months while taking genistein and three months after the washout period. Urine samples will also confirm that genistein has been taken appropriately throughout the study.

The study expects that genistein will be well-tolerated by children, reduce BMI z-scores by 0.2 (0.5), and improve cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, lipid profiles, and inflammation. A sample size of 60 participants has been calculated to achieve statistically significant results, which will inform more extensive studies on genistein's potential for managing pediatric obesity.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Children Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pediatric Obesity Signs and Symptoms

Age range

4 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1 / Phase 2

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children and adolescents aged 4-17 years.
  • Obesity defined as a BMI z-score ≥ 2 for age and sex, based on World Health Organization (WHO) reference standards.
  • Stable or increasing BMI after at least 3 months of enrollment in the HEAL program.
  • Inclusion of participants from all backgrounds, consistent with principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Participants and families who do not speak or read English will be included, provided interpreter services are available at LHSC's Children's Hospital.
  • Participants who decline to enroll will continue receiving standard care in the HEAL program.

Exclusion criteria

  • Known allergy to Sophora japonica (source of genistein).
  • Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (these patients are followed in a separate Diabetes Clinic).
  • Current use of medications that may confound study outcomes, including:
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Saxenda, Wegovy)
  • ADHD medications (e.g., Concerta, Vyvanse, Abilify)
  • Antipsychotic medications (e.g., Risperidone)
  • Currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period.

Treatment and study plan

Genistein

Drug

Participants will receive genistein treatment (10-15 mg/kg/day with a maximum dose of 1500mg/day) for 3 months. From the 3-month- to 6-month follow-up, participants will receive a dose of 20-25 mg/kg/day (with a maximum dose of 1500mg/day). According to participant preference, Genistein will be provided as a capsule (250mg per capsule). For participants that are unable to swallow the capsule the capsule may be opened and the powder from the capsule can be mixed with a beverage or food. Interim clinical evaluations will occur at 3 and 6 months to assess, tolerability, adherence and efficacy.. Post-treatment assessment after a 3-month washout will occur at 9 months to determine delayed adverse effects and persistence of beneficial effects after genistein discontinuation.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess the impact of genistein on Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores, calculated using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference standards for age and sex.

    Scale: WHO BMI-for-age z-score

    Score Range: Typically from approximately -3 to +5

    Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater degrees of obesity, and lower scores indicate improvement in weight status relative to age and sex norms.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Tolerability of Genistein Treatment

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess the tolerability of genistein as an anti-obesity treatment in children aged 4-18 years with obesity, as measured by the incidence of adverse events, treatment discontinuation rates, and tolerability questionnaires completed by caregivers and participants (e.g., Likert scale or standardized adverse event checklist).

  2. Adherence to Genistein Treatment

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess adherence to genistein as an anti-obesity treatment in children aged 4-18 years with obesity, as measured by the percentage of prescribed doses taken, recorded through pill counts, caregiver-reported adherence logs, and/or electronic medication monitoring (e.g., MEMS caps).

Other outcomes

  1. Change in Fasting Glucose Levels

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess the effect of genistein on fasting glucose levels, measured in mmol/L via standard clinical laboratory testing.

  2. Change in Fasting Insulin Levels

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess the effect of genistein on fasting insulin levels, measured in pmol/L via standard clinical laboratory testing.

  3. Change in HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance)

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess insulin resistance using HOMA-IR, calculated from fasting insulin and glucose levels. Higher scores indicate greater insulin resistance.

    Unit of Measure: HOMA-IR index (unitless)

  4. Change in Lipid Profile - Total Cholesterol

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess changes in total cholesterol levels, measured in mmol/L via clinical laboratory tests.

  5. Change in Lipid Profile - LDL-C

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), measured in mmol/L.

  6. Change in Lipid Profile - HDL-C

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), measured in mmol/L.

  7. Change in Lipid Profile - Triglycerides

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess changes in triglyceride levels, measured in mmol/L.

  8. Change in High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess inflammation using hs-CRP levels, measured in mg/L via standard blood test.

  9. Change in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

    Time frame: 6 months

    To assess blood pressure changes using manual or automated blood pressure cuffs appropriate for pediatric populations. Reported in mmHg for both systolic and diastolic readings.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Marina Ybarra, MD, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+15196858500 ext. 75751

Mylene Trojman

CONTACT

[email protected]

+15196858500 ext. 75111

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Western University

Other

Collaborators

  • London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
  • Western University, Canada

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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