The primary purpose of this study (Part A) is to assess changes in body weight and body circumference parameters that are achievable after 4 weeks on the Nutrisystem program compared to a self-directed diet (i.e. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH). In Part B, subjects on the Nutrisystem program will be given the option to continue the program for another 8 weeks.
A randomized, controlled, parallel study design with two parts (Part A and Part B). Study visits include Screening, Randomization, and Weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. Week 4 serves also as the closeout study visit for Part A. Subjects randomized to the intervention group (i.e., Nutrisystem group) will continue the program for an additional 8 weeks, and include additional study visits at week 8 and 12. Eighty-four (N=84) healthy men and women, matched paired for BMI, will be randomized into one of two groups for 28 days (4 weeks): Nutrisystem program or a self-directed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension ("DASH"). All subjects in the Nutrisystem group who complete Part A will continue on the Nutrisystem program for an additional 8 weeks (Part B). Daily energy intake targets for each group will include a 1000 kcal/day diet for both women and men during the first week. After the first week women will follow a 1200 kcal/day diet and men will follow a 1500 kcal/day diet. Subjects with BMI \> 40 will add approximately 200 additional calories to their diet each day. Body weight and body circumference (Waist, Hip, Chest, Arm \& Thigh and Sum of the 5) measures were obtained at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 (Part A). And at weeks 8 and 12 for the Nutrisystem group (Part B).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
84
The Nutrisystem Diet was 1000 kcal/day for week 1,and 1200 calories/day for women and 1500 calories/day for men after week 1.Subjects with BMI \> 40 added 200 extra calories/day through grocery food add-ins.Subjects received 7 breakfast,7 lunches,7 dinners, and 14 shakes for week 1.Subjects added in vegetables \& no-calorie beverages in week 1.After week 1,Nutrisystem provided 7 breakfasts,6 lunches,6 dinners, and 7 (women) or 14 (men) snacks/week.Subjects prepared 1 lunch \& 1 dinner on their own weekly. Guidelines were given to allow subjects to select foods that fit within plan guidelines (\~50% kcal from carbohydrate,\~25% from protein,\~25% from fat). Nutrisystem foods were about 60% of kcal target; grocery additions made the balance.Subjects received guidance as typical on Nutrisystem throughout the study period.Subjects were encouraged to call Nutrisystem counselors. Subjects randomized to this participated in Part A (4 weeks) and Part B (additional 8 weeks) of the study.
The self-directed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension group received instruction/education with handouts \& sample meal plans, which met guidelines for DASH. All subjects followed a 1000 kcal/day DASH diet for week 1. After week 1, women ate 1200 kcal/day \& men ate 1500 kcal/day. Subjects with BMI \>40 added an extra 200 kcal/day. Subjects randomized to this group received one additional educational session beyond the Randomization visit on how to follow their prescribed meal plan. Subjects in this group only participated in Part A (4-weeks) of the study.
Body Weight
Change in body weight from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, and 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)
Waist Circumference
Change in waist circumference from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)
Hip Circumference
Change in hip circumference from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)
Chest Circumference
Change in chest circumference from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)
Arm Circumference
Change in arm circumference from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)
Thigh Circumference
Change in thigh circumference from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)
Sum of the 5 Body Circumferences
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Change in Sum of 5 body circumferences (waist, hip, chest, arm, thigh) from baseline (week 0) to each post-randomization visit (week 1, 2, 3, 4 for Parts A \& B; plus week 8, 12 for Part B)
Time frame: up to 4 weeks (Part A); up to 12 weeks (Part B)