More than two-thirds of middle-aged and older adults are overweight, which places them at greater risk of disability and higher medical expenses. Lifestyle interventions which promote weight loss for this population are needed. However, it is not known how different weight loss approaches impact brain (cognitive) functions, such as memory and attention. The investigator's investigation aims to improve adherence to a hypocaloric diet prescription through improved attention and inhibitory control, reduced hunger, and increased satiety. The objectives of this pilot study are to: 1) determine the feasibility and establish proof-of-concept; 2) establish proficiency and feasibility of the proposed cognitive function assessments; and 3) obtain preliminary data for effect size generation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
33
Participants will be counseled to consume a hypocaloric diet during the 4-week weight loss phase. Counseling will include specific instructions on a dietary manipulation which may reduce hunger, in order to facilitate dietary adherence.This will include tracking of the strategy. They will also be provided a pedometer and instructed to attain 10,000 steps per day.
Participants will be counseled to consume a hypocaloric diet during the 4-week weight loss phase. They will also be provided a pedometer and instructed to attain 10,000 steps per day.
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Cognitive function changes - attention
Computerized tasks will score each participant's performance for attention at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases.
Time frame: 30-min measurement per session
Cognitive function changes - inhibitory control
Computerized tasks will score each participant's performance for inhibitory control at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases.
Time frame: 30-min measurement per session
Weight change
Weight will be measured on a scale at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases.
Time frame: 5-min measurement per session
Perceived hunger
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) survey will be used to measure hunger at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases. Participants make a mark on a 100 mm line that corresponds to their subjective feelings (range of score is 0-100). The line is anchored by descriptors that are polar opposites (not at all hungry to extremely hungry). The score is determined by using the place on the line where the mark is made by the participants.
Time frame: 15-minute measurement per session
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