Our long-term goal is to contribute to the development of evidence-based nutritional and physical activity recommendations for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity and related chronic diseases. The overall objective for this study is to determine if a 20-week educational program, project DFEND, related to behavior change and health will improve nutrition and physical activity outcomes as well as indicators of wellbeing. Our central hypothesis is that regular attendance of weekly lectures, weekly meetings with personalized coaches, and weekly health challenges via virtual platforms (e.g. Zoom, Facebook, YouTube) will improve health outcomes related to nutrition and physical activity. Our rationale for these studies is that the results of this research will enhance the potential to develop evidence-based nutritional and physical activity behavioral recommendations to treat and/or prevent development of overweight and obesity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
150
Weekly education related to behavior change
Weekly calls with personalized coaches in behavior modification, nutrition, and physical activity/exercise.
Weekly challenges to address behavior change
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
Behavior change
Participants identify one behavior they want to change and work toward achieving that goal. This will be measured by recording goals and checking in weekly to record progress. We will use a 5-point likert scale to assess how well the participant perceives they are meeting their goal. Behavior change will be assessed qualitatively, relying on the participant to report success or failures to study personnel.
Time frame: 20 weeks
Sleep
Improved sleep determined by Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index questionnaire, which provides a subjective measure of sleep quality and patterns in the form of a validated questionnaire. The tool examines seven areas: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, the use of sleep-promoting medication, and daytime dysfunction.
Time frame: 20 weeks
Mood
Improved mood determined by Profile of Mood States questionnaire which is a psychological rating scale used to assess transient, distinct moods. It measures six different dimensions of mood swings over a period of time using a five-point scale ranging from "not at all" to "extremely".
Time frame: 20 weeks
Physical Activity
Self-reported time spent participating in physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which is a standardized self-report questionnaire which provides and estimate of physical activity and sedentary behavior.
Time frame: 20 weeks
Dietary Intake
Self reported diet intake using 24 hour dietary recalls
Time frame: 20 weeks
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