The proposed study is a randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of a weight gain and eating dysregulation prevention intervention among college freshmen women. It will compare Appetite Awareness Training (AAT) to a standard nutritional education group and a no treatment control group. Appetite Awareness Training approach to increasing eating regulation through training individuals to eat in response to their appetite cues rather than external or emotional cues.
All female freshmen students residing in the university dorms were recruited to participate in this study. After completing the baseline assessment, eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of the three arms. Those in the AAT condition received guided administration of AAT over the course of three weekly group sessions, with an additional booster session three weeks after completion (week 6). The standard treatment comparison group received four similarly timed group sessions of psychoeducational/nutrition information facilitated by a registered dietician. A manualized approach to administration of the intervention was created based on the AAT treatment and was strictly followed in order to standardize the implementation of the prevention groups. The no-treatment control group only participated in the assessments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
130
Appetite Awareness Training (AAT) is an approach to increasing eating regulation through training individuals to eat in response to their appetite cues rather than external or emotional cues
Nutrition education provides information about energy balance, dietary guidelines, portion and serving sizes, and other general dietary information.
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota, United States
Change in Body Weight measured in pounds
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 4 months
Change in Appetite Awareness as assessed by the Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire (appetite subscale)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 4 months
Change in Body Image as assessed by the Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction with Body Parts Scale
Time frame: 6 weeks, 4 months
Change in Weight Management self-efficacy as assessed by the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire
Time frame: 6 weeks, 4 months
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