# Does aberrant decision-making prevent success in adolescent behavioral weight loss treatment?

> **NIH NIH K23** · DREXEL UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $162,909

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 This K23 application aims to support Dr. Stephanie Manasse in her overarching goal of becoming an
independent clinical researcher focused on developing and evaluating novel treatments for obesity. The
proposed application will strengthen the candidate’s ability to meet this goal by providing advanced training to:
(1) Gain expertise in theoretical models and measurement of decision-making; (2) develop expertise in
nutritional and meal pattern analysis; (3) design and execute clinical trials for adolescent obesity; (4) Build
proficiency with multilevel and longitudinal data analytic approaches related to clinical trial research. To
achieve these goals, an expert team of mentors has been assembled, consisting of primary mentor Dr. Evan
Forman (for conducting obesity clinical trials); co-mentors Dr. Adrienne Juarascio (for training in conduct of
clinical trials for individuals with disordered eating), Dr. Joseph Kable (for training in models and measurement
of decision-making), Dr. Tanja Kral (for training in meal pattern and nutritional analysis in pediatric obesity), Dr.
Tanofsky-Kraff (for training in assessment and clinical trial methods in adolescent obesity and loss-of-control
eating) and Dr. Zoe Zhang (for training in longitudinal statistical methods); and consultants Dr. Robert
Berkowitz (biological considerations of adolescence on weight and weight change) and Dr. Laurence Steinberg
(for training in models of adolescent decision-making).
 As part of this training, Dr. Manasse will complete a project that will examine the predictive role of
aberrant decision-making processes (i.e., delay discounting, affect-driven impulsivity, and perseverative
decision-making) in weight loss outcomes from behavioral treatment for adolescent obesity. Second, the study
will also examine the influence of aberrant decision-making on problematic eating behaviors during treatment
that are likely driving poor weight loss outcomes: reward-driven overeating, loss-of-control eating, and
problematic dietary restriction. Third, the study will examine whether these problematic eating behaviors
mediate the influence of aberrant decision-making on weight loss outcomes. We will recruit 60 adolescents
(ages 14-18) with (n=30) and without (n=30) clinically significant LOC eating who will complete a behavioral
weight loss program and complete measures of decision-making at baseline. Problematic eating behaviors and
weight outcomes will be evaluated at mid-treatment (6 weeks), post-treatment (16 weeks), 6-month follow-up,
and 12-month follow-up. The current study will provide critical information that will directly lead into the
development of a novel adolescent obesity intervention augmentation that will be poised reduce aberrant
decision-making and improve weight loss outcomes. Given the poor efficacy of weight loss treatments in
adolescents, novel augmentations that target the unique developmental factors of adolescence are necessary.
Therefore, in ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10397648
- **Project number:** 5K23DK124514-03
- **Recipient organization:** DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephanie Manasse
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $162,909
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-17 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10397648

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10397648, Does aberrant decision-making prevent success in adolescent behavioral weight loss treatment? (5K23DK124514-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10397648. Licensed CC0.

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