Status of clinical trial registration for obesity among children and adolescents
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025370
- VernacularTitle:儿童青少年肥胖临床试验注册现状
- Author:
LIANG Chenchen, ZHU Zhongyi, ZHANG Haoran, YANG Yan
1
Author Information
1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Childrens Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100045, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Obesity;
Clinical trial;
Registration;
Child;
Adolescent
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2025;46(12):1760-1764
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the current status of clinical trial registration for childhood and adolescent obesity, so as to provide insights for the registration and implementation of related trials.
Methods:ClinicalTrials.gov and the ChiCTR database were searched for obesity related clinical trial registrations up to 1 June 2025. Data included basic characteristics (registration region, date, funding source, status, sample size), trial design features, participant demographics, interventions, outcome measures, methodology, and reporting quality. Statistical and descriptive analyses were conducted.
Results:A total of 1 450 registered studies were included, covering 59 regions globally. North America hosted the highest number of registrations (876, 60.41%), with the United States accounting for the largest share (771, 53.17%). The earliest registered study dated to 1985, while 2016 saw the highest annual registrations ( n =87). Funding sources predominantly originated from universities (834 studies, 57.52%). Currently, completed trials accounted for the majority (1 003 trials, 69.17%). Globally, the majority of studies employed sample sizes within the 11-50 range (331 studies, 22.83%). Interventional studies predominated in design type (1 186, 81.79%), predominantly employing randomized parallel group controlled trials. Main interventions included comprehensive lifestyle interventions, physical activity and exercise interventions, and diet and nutrition interventions. High frequency outcome indicators primarily involved body composition and anthropometric measurements, metabolic and biochemical indicators, etc. Methodology and reporting quality required improvement.
Conclusions:The registration of clinical trials related to childhood and adolescent obesity globally shows a positive development trend, but issues of regional imbalance and methodological limitations exist. It is necessary to strengthen clinical trial registration norms, optimize study designs, and focus on the innovation of interventions and the systematicity of outcome indicators.
