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Status unknownNCT03015012NOWUpdated Mar 6, 2020

Nutrigenomics, Overweight/Obesity and Weight Management Trial (NOW Trial)

An interventional study of Personalized Nutrigenomics Testing (PNT) and Standard Nutrition Intervention (SNI) in Transplant-Related Disorder and Overweight and Obesity, sponsored by Western University, Canada. Status unknown at 2 sites in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-03-06.

Sponsored by Western University, Canada · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Mar 2020), so the status shown — last known as Recruiting — may be out of date.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
200
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The investigators hypothesize that compared to the provision of population-based lifestyle advice, providing DNA-based lifestyle advice via personalized nutrigenomics testing (PNT) to two distinct patient populations (Family Health Team patients receiving a lifestyle counselling intervention and transplant recipients) will lead to greater reductions in percent body fat. In addition, it will motivate them to adopt healthier dietary and physical activity habits through changes in attitudes and/or subjective norms and/or behavioural control, lead to greater fat loss (kg), increased percent lean mass and therefore improve health and quality of life outcomes for both patient populations. In addition, it is hypothesized that dietary strategies related to the intake of one or more dietary components of interest will mitigate post-transplant weight gain associated with three SNPs of interest.

This is a randomized clinical intervention trial involving a total of four groups of patients (n = 400). The two main patient groups include overweight or obese, stable transplant recipients and overweight or obese patients who are attending group counselling sessions at the East Elgin Family Health Team. Within these two main groups, there will be two sub-groups. Patients will be randomized to receive either PNT or standard nutrition intervention (SNI). Baseline data will be conducted consisting of a food frequency questionnaire and three-day food records using a validated multiple pass method. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) will be conducted to assess body composition and to derive percent body fat and lean mass. Weight and height will be measured using a weigh scale and stadiometer. Attitudes, subjective norms and behavioural control will be assessed using a Theory of Planned Behaviour Questionnaire. Those patients randomized to the PNT group will be instructed on a tailored nutrition care plan and physical activity recommendations based on their individual genetic profile. At the same time, the SNI group will be instructed on general nutrition and physical activity recommendations for weight loss, which include the use of dietary strategies from the standard tool ('Just the Basics') used by registered dietitians for transplant patients and the GLB program for patients attending the East Elgin Family Health Team sessions. Monthly email reminders or phone calls (depending on patient preference) will be sent to transplant recipients as a reminder of their nutrition and physical activity plan. Reminders of nutrition and physical activity goals for the Family Health Team participants are incorporated into the GLB program. Three months, six months and twelve months after baseline data collection and individual nutrition interventions, baseline data will be repeated. After the study is complete, participants in the SNI group will be offered a nutrigenomics report and consultation with a registered dietitian.

A paired t-test or repeated measures ANOVA will be used to assess within group change from baseline to each follow-up time point for: BMI, body fat, lean mass, and dietary intake. A repeated measures ANOVA will be used to test between group differences from baseline to each follow-up time point for: BMI, body fat, lean mass, and dietary intake. If significant mean differences are detected, a Tukey's post hoc test will be used to compare differences by group. Statistical significance will be determined by P \< 0.05. General linear regression models will be used to assess interactions between each genotype of interest and each dietary component of interest on BMI and body composition from baseline to each follow-up time point.

Read the detailed description

Hypotheses: Compared to the provision of population-based lifestyle advice, providing DNA-based lifestyle advice via personalized nutrigenomics testing (PNT) to two distinct patient populations (patients attending group counselling sessions at the East Elgin Family Health Team and transplant recipients) in which overweight and obesity are common concerns, will motivate them to adopt healthier dietary and physical activity habits via changes in attitudes and/or subjective norms and/or behavioural control, lead to greater fat loss, increased percent lean mass and therefore improve health and quality of life outcomes for both patient populations. It is also hypothesized that dietary strategies related to the intake of one or more dietary components of interest (protein, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, total fat, sodium, carbohydrates, alcohol and calories) will mitigate post-transplant weight gain associated with the following SNPs: ACE (rs4343), FTO (rs1558902) and MC4R (rs571312).

Sample Size: No research to date has studied the aforementioned hypotheses. Previously published data assessing weight loss in a SNI group compared to a PNT group using a randomized clinical intervention model in a different population used a sample of n = 93 and an alpha \< 0.05 to find statistical significance after 3-7 month follow-up. Similarly, nutrigenomics research in the ACE gene (rs4343) found statistical significance using a sample of n = 104 and an alpha \< 0.05. A sample size calculation with 80% power and an alpha of 0.05 indicated that 37 participants per group (n = 148 total) are needed to detect significant differences between groups for changes in body fat percentage (primary outcome). Since it is feasible for this research, a larger sample size goal (n = 400) will be used to increase power and draw meaningful inferences from the data. There will be 100 participants in each patient group (n = 200 in SNI group, n = 200 in PNT group) in this landmark study.

Design and Methods: Participants will be recruited from the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) meetings with the assistance of the Director, Sandra Holdsworth (transplant recipients; n = 200) and from the Group Lifestyle Balance Program (GLB Program) through the East Elgin Family Health Team (GLB; n = 200) for this randomized clinical intervention trial. Word-of-mouth recruitment is also expected. This trial involves a total of four groups of patients. The two main patient groups include overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m\^2), stable transplant recipients greater than or equal to one year post-transplant, and overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m\^2) patients who are attending the GLB program at the East Elgin Family Health Team. Within these two main patient groups, there will be two sub-groups (n = 100 per sub-group). Patients will be randomized to receive either PNT or standard nutrition intervention (SNI) based on strategies from the standard teaching tool used by dietitians in both patient populations: 'Just the Basics' - developed by the Canadian Diabetes Association for transplant participants. Participants from the East Elgin Family Health Team, will participate in the GLB Program and will either complete the standard program (SNI Group) + receive population-based nutrition and physical activity recommendations or will complete a modified GLB program + receive personalized nutrition and physical activity recommendations based on their genetics (PNT Group). Baseline data will be conducted consisting of a food frequency questionnaire and three-day food records using a validated multiple pass method. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) will be conducted to assess body composition and to derive percent and kg body fat and lean mass. Weight and height will be measured using a weigh scale and stadiometer. Surveys will be completed by participants to assess several demographic characteristics, as well as key components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Those patients randomized to the PNT group will be instructed on a tailored nutrition care plan and physical activity goal based on their individual genetic profile. At the same time, the SNI group will be instructed on general nutrition and physical activity recommendations for weight loss. A survey based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour will be administered before and after participants receive their nutrition and physical activity advice. These components are needed so that we can assess whether or not social and built environment factors, subjective norms, attitudes and behavioural control influence change in dietary intake. Monthly email or phone call reminders (depending on participant preference) will be sent to participants as a reminder of their nutrition and physical activity plan for transplant recipients. For East Elgin Family Health Team participants, reminders of the nutrition and physical activity plan will be incorporated into the GLB Program. Three months, six months and twelve months after baseline data collection and individual nutrition interventions, baseline data will be repeated. After the study is complete, participants in the SNI group will be offered a nutrigenomics test and consultation with a registered dietitian.

Statistical Analysis: A paired t-test or repeated measures ANOVA will be used to assess within group change from baseline to each of the follow-up time points for: BMI, body fat, lean mass, water weight, TPB components, dietary intake (protein, total fat, saturated fat, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, alcohol, calories and sodium), and physical activity. A repeated measures ANOVA will be used to test between group differences from baseline to each of the follow-up time points for: BMI, body fat, lean mass, water weight, TPB components, dietary intake (protein, total fat, saturated fat, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, alcohol, calories and sodium) and physical activity. If significant mean differences are detected, a Tukey's post hoc test will be used to compare differences by group. Statistical significance will be determined by P \< 0.05. General linear regression models will be used to assess the effect of each genotype of interest (ACE rs4343, MC4R rs573112, FTO rs1558902) and the impact of each dietary component of interest (protein, total fat, saturated fat, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, alcohol, calories and sodium) on BMI and body composition from baseline to each follow-up time point. We will control for age, sex, ethnicity, immunosuppressive medications (transplant recipients) and baseline body composition and BMI. IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21.0 will be used for the data analysis.

02

Conditions studied

  • Transplant-Related Disorder
  • Overweight and Obesity

Keywords

  • Nutrigenomics
  • Genetics
  • Overweight
  • Obesity
  • Transplantation
  • Nutrition
  • Dietetics
  • BMI
  • Body Composition
03

In context

Obesity

6,296 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity; 1,692 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 200 is above the median of 78 across 4,878 interventional studies indexed under Obesity.

Browse Obesity studies →

Lead sponsor

Western University, Canada is the lead sponsor of 221 studies on the registry; 56 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • TRANSPLANT PATIENTS: Adults greater than or equal to age 18, non-pregnant, non-lactating, attending Canadian Transplant Association meetings, BMI ≥ 25kg/m2, ≥1 year stable (not being treated for transplant rejection or infection) post-transplant, having access to a computer with email or a telephone at least one day per week and English speaking.
  • LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (GLB) PATIENTS: Adults greater than or equal to age 18, non-pregnant, non-lactating, BMI ≥ 25kg/m2, having access to a computer with email or a telephone at least one day per week and English speaking.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • TRANSPLANT PATIENTS: Patients with BMI \<25 kg/m2, unwilling to undergo PNT, unable to provide consent, undergoing treatment for transplant rejection or infection, not English speaking, without access to a computer with email or a telephone at least one day per week and/or \<1 year post-transplant, seeing another healthcare provider for weight loss advice outside of this study
  • LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (GLB) PATIENTS: Patients with BMI \<25 kg/m2, unwilling to undergo PNT, unable to provide consent, not English speaking, without access to a computer with email or a telephone at least one day per week, seeing another healthcare provider for weight loss advice outside of this study
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
200 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Standard Nutrition Intervention (SNI)

    Transplant participants will receive standard nutrition counselling from a registered dietitian focused on strategies from the Canadian Diabetes Association's patient resource 'Just the Basics.' Nutrition counselling will focus on weight management. Individuals recruited from The East Elgin Family Health Team will complete the GLB Program. Transplant participants will receive a monthly follow-up email or phone call reviewing their nutrition and physical activity plan, until 12 months after baseline data collection. Reminders of lifestyle goals will be incorporated into the GLB Program for participants at the East Elgin Family Health Team.

    Other: Standard Nutrition Intervention (SNI)

  • Experimental
    Personalized Nutrigenomics Testing (PNT)

    Participants will receive nutrition counselling from a registered dietitian based on the results of their personalized nutrigenomics testing. Nutrition counselling will focus on weight management. Individuals recruited from The East Elgin Family Health Team will complete the GLB Program, but will be given personalized nutrition and physical activity advice based on the results of their nutrigenomics test. Transplant participants will receive a monthly follow-up email or phone call reviewing their nutrition and physical activity plan, until 12 months after baseline data collection. Reminders of lifestyle goals will be incorporated into the GLB Program for participants at the East Elgin Family Health Team.

    Genetic: Personalized Nutrigenomics Testing (PNT)

Interventions

  • GeneticPersonalized Nutrigenomics Testing (PNT)

    Participants will receive nutrition counselling from a registered dietitian based on the results of their personalized nutrigenomics testing. Nutrition and physical activity counselling will focus on weight management. Individuals recruited from The East Elgin Family Health Team will complete the GLB Program, but will be given personalized nutrition and physical activity advice based on the results of their nutrigenomics test. Transplant participants will receive a monthly follow-up email or phone call reviewing their nutrition and physical activity plan, until 12 months after baseline data collection. Reminders of lifestyle goals will be incorporated into the GLB Program for participants at the East Elgin Family Health Team.

  • OtherStandard Nutrition Intervention (SNI)

    Transplant participants will receive standard nutrition counselling from a registered dietitian focused on strategies from the Canadian Diabetes Association's patient resource 'Just the Basics.' Nutrition and physical activity counselling will focus on weight management. Individuals recruited from The East Elgin Family Health Team will complete the standard GLB Program. Transplant participants will receive a monthly follow-up email or phone call reviewing their nutrition and physical activity plan, until 12 months after baseline data collection. Reminders of lifestyle goals will be incorporated into the GLB Program for participants at the East Elgin Family Health Team.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Body Fat Percentage

    Change in body composition (body fat percentage as the primary outcome) will be assessed using BIA which will provide information on fat mass, lean mass, and water weight

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Dietary Intake

    Change in dietary intake will be assessed using pre- and post- dietary data collected using 3-day food records, and a past-month online food frequency questionnaire.

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

  2. Change in Physical Activity

    Change in physical activity will be assessed using pre- and post- physical activity data collected using a 7-day physical activity recall. Metabolic equivalents will then be calculated from this data.

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

  3. Change in Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Behavioural Control

    Change in these key components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) will be assessed using a TPB questionnaire.

    Time frame: Pre- and post- lifestyle intervention (baseline), 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

  4. Change in Body Composition

    Change in body composition will be assessed using BIA which will provide information on fat mass, lean mass, and water weight

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

  5. BMI

    Change in BMI will be measured using weight and height data collected using a weigh scale and stadiometer

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

  6. Weight

    Change in weight will be measured using a weigh scale

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

Other outcomes

  1. Nutrigenomics Interactions

    Nutrigenomics (nutrition-genetic) interactions between ACE gene variants at rs4343, FTO gene variants at rs1558902 (in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs9939609) and MC4R (rs571312) to mitigate risk of post-transplant weight gain will be assessed for transplant recipients in the PNT group.

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months

07

Study locations

1 of 2 sites recruiting
  • East Elgin Family Health Team
    Aylmer, Ontario N5H1K9, Canada
    Completed
  • Brescia University College
    London, Ontario N6G 1H2, Canada
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Horne J, Gilliland J, O'Connor C, Seabrook J, Hannaberg P, Madill J. Study protocol of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial incorporated into the Group Lifestyle Balance program: the nutrigenomics, overweight/obesity and weight management trial (the NOW trial). BMC Public Health. 2019 Mar 15;19(1):310. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6621-8. PubMed 30876469 ↗
  • Horne JR, Gilliland JA, Vohl MC, Madill J. Exploring Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control in a Genetic-Based and a Population-Based Weight Management Intervention: A One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 8;12(12):3768. doi: 10.3390/nu12123768. PubMed 33302460 ↗
  • Horne J, Gilliland J, O'Connor C, Seabrook J, Madill J. Enhanced long-term dietary change and adherence in a nutrigenomics-guided lifestyle intervention compared to a population-based (GLB/DPP) lifestyle intervention for weight management: results from the NOW randomised controlled trial. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2020 May 21;3(1):49-59. doi: 10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000073. eCollection 2020. PubMed 33235971 ↗
  • Horne JR, Gilliland J, Leckie T, O'Connor C, Seabrook JA, Madill J. Can a Lifestyle Genomics Intervention Motivate Patients to Engage in Greater Physical Activity than a Population-Based Intervention? Results from the NOW Randomized Controlled Trial. Lifestyle Genom. 2020;13(6):180-186. doi: 10.1159/000510216. Epub 2020 Oct 1. PubMed 33002888 ↗
  • Horne JR, Gilliland JA, O'Connor CP, Seabrook JA, Madill J. Change in Weight, BMI, and Body Composition in a Population-Based Intervention Versus Genetic-Based Intervention: The NOW Trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020 Aug;28(8):1419-1427. doi: 10.1002/oby.22880. PubMed 32935529 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — IPD will only be available to the current research team.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 6, 2020, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03015012
Lead sponsor
Western University, Canada
Collaborators
Nutrigenomix Inc., East Elgin Family Health Team, Canadian Transplant Association
Responsible party
Janet Madill (Dr. Janet Madill, Western University, Canada) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 9, 2017
Start date
Apr 3, 2017
Primary completion
Sep 2020 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 2020 (estimated)
Last update
Mar 6, 2020

Study contacts

Janet Madill, PhD
Contact
jmadill7@uwo.ca
519 432 8353 ext. 28240
Justine Horne, MScFN
Contact
jhorne5@uwo.ca
519 212 0917
Janet Madill, PhD
principal investigator · Brescia University College at Western University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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