Healthy Eating Patterns During a Lifestyle Intervention

N/AActive Not RecruitingNCT01682317

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville30 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to address the gap in knowledge regarding the relationship between eating frequency and weight loss.

Little intervention research has been conducted to examine the influence of eating frequency (EF) on weight loss. It has been hypothesized an increased EF improves appetite control, assisting with better regulation of energy intake, thus decreasing body mass index. Unfortunately, outcomes have not shown greater appetite control with increased EF. Instead, trends favor a lower EF reducing energy intake thereby producing greater weight loss than a higher eating frequency. Thus, a lower eating frequency may lower energy intake via behavioral mechanisms. At thit time no research has examined the behavioral mechanisms that may mediate the relationship between a lower eating frequency and superior adherence to an energy-restricted diet.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity Weight Loss

Interventions

Eating FrequencyBEHAVIORAL

Thirty adults will be provided an 8-week standard lifestyle intervention, that includes a 1200-1500 kcal/day, \< 30% energy from fat dietary prescription, and a physical activity goal of 200 minutes/week. Participants will be randomized to one of two conditions differing in EF using a prescription we have tested previously. One condition will limit the number of eating bouts/day to three (Three Meal), while the second condition will consume at least 100 kcal every 2 to 3 hours which should lead to approximately 6 eating bouts/day (Grazing).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 and 65 years * healthy overweight and obese men and women * body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 45 kg/m squared Exclusion Criteria: * report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR- Q) * report being unable to walk for 2 blocks (1/4 mile) without stopping * are currently participating in a weight loss program and/or taking weight loss medication or lost \> 5% of body weight during the past 6 months * diagnosed with type 1 or 2 diabetes * have had bariatric surgery or are planning to have bariatric surgery in the next 4 months * intend to move outside of the metropolitan area within the time frame of the investigation * are pregnant, lactating, \< 6 months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the investigation

Locations (1)

Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory, University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Diet

Diet (eating frequency, kilocalories, macronutrients)

Time frame: 0 and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

To evaluate the behavioral mechanisms of eating frequency, PalmPilot-based EMA will be used to collect real-time information on consumption cues.

Time frame: 0 and 8 weeks

Anthropometrics

Height (0 weeks only), weight and body mass index

Time frame: 0 and 8 weeks

Binge Eating

Assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), which is a 36-item questionnaire derived from the Eating Disorders Examination interview.

Time frame: 0 and 8 weeks

Physical Activity

Self-reported physical activity will be assessed using the Paffenbarger Activity Questionnaire.

Time frame: 0 and 8 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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