Racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trials for pediatric obesity
Authors' conclusion
With the exception of Black and Hispanic children, historically marginalized racial groups were underrepresented in pediatric obesity trials, signifying a need to improve diversity of participants in these trials. Additionally, there are substantial gaps in the documentation of race and ethnicity information. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure adequate reporting of race and ethnicity information in clinical trials.
Study context
- Population
- Pediatric obesity clinical trials (participants aged ≤18 years) registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, completed January 2013–August 2023, conducted in the United States
- Participants
- 260 trials
- Outcome
- Enrollment-prevalence disparity (EPD) for each racial and ethnic group
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
EPD by racial and ethnic group
| Group | Value | p |
|---|---|---|
| Asian | −3.7% (IQR −3.7%–1.8%) | p < 0.0001 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | −2.1% (IQR −2.1%–-2.1%) | p < 0.0001 |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | −0.6% (IQR −0.6%–-0.6%) | p < 0.0001 |
Value
Asian−3.7% (IQR −3.7%–1.8%)
American Indian and Alaska Native−2.1% (IQR −2.1%–-2.1%)
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander−0.6% (IQR −0.6%–-0.6%)
p
Asianp < 0.0001
American Indian and Alaska Nativep < 0.0001
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanderp < 0.0001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Trials reporting race and/or ethnicity data
- 128 trials (49.2%)
Original publication
Racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trials for pediatric obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 4 February 2025. doi:10.
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