Therapy and lifestyle support for teens managing weight and diabetes risk

This trial is testing whether Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)—a type of talk therapy that teaches skills for managing emotions, tolerating stress, and building better relationships—can help teenagers with obesity improve their quality of life and weight management. The study compares three groups: one receiving DBT plus lifestyle coaching, one receiving lifestyle coaching alone, and one receiving no intervention. Researchers want to see if adding the emotional and coping skills component helps more than lifestyle changes by themselves.

Many teenagers struggling with weight also experience depression or emotional difficulties, which can make it harder to stick with healthy changes. This trial exists to see whether addressing the emotional side of health—through this therapy—might help teens manage their weight better and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.