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Effect of Nutrition Education on Weight Gain Prevention in Adult Women: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Metzgar Catherine J,
NickolsRichardson Sharon M
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.410.1
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , weight gain , body mass index , anthropometry , obesity , blood pressure , weight loss , physical therapy , body weight , nutrition education , demography , zoology , gerontology , sociology , biology
Body weight (BW) reduction through energy restriction is ineffective in impacting the obesity epidemic. Shifting from an obesity treatment to weight gain prevention or BW maintenance focus may be more effective in decreasing the burden of adult obesity. A 1‐year randomized controlled trial of weight gain prevention was conducted in healthy premenopausal women, between the ages of 18–45 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of >18.5kg/m 2 . Eighty‐seven women were randomized to a weight gain prevention intervention delivered by a registered dietitian (RDG) or counselor (CSG), or to a control group (CON). Eighty‐one women [mean±SD, age: 31.4±8.1 y; BW: 76.1±19.0 kg; BMI: 27.9±6.8 kg/m 2 ) completed baseline testing and were included in intention‐to‐treat analyses. Anthropometric, blood pressure, dietary intake and physical activity measurements and selected biochemical markers of health were evaluated every three months. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance (SPSS, version 22.0); significance was set at P<0.01. Sixty‐two percent of the original sample met weight gain prevention criteria after one year; this did not differ by group assignment. Body fat percentage was significantly lower in the RDG versus CSG and CON groups at all intervals (P<0.001). Systolic blood pressure significantly changed over time in the CON group (P<0.001), with a significant group x time interaction (P<0.01). Fruit intake (svgs/day) was significantly different between the RDG and CON groups at month 6 and 12 (both P<0.01). No significant group differences were observed for additional anthropometric measurements, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, macronutrient intake, food groups, total energy expenditure or biochemical markers of health (all P>0.01). There were no significant time effects for any anthropometric measurements, resting heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, dietary intake, total energy expenditure or biochemical markers of health (all P>0.01). Although the effect of nutrition education on weight gain prevention was not significant, a majority of participants maintained BW over one year. Further monitoring may determine if nutrition education impacts BW regulation over the long term. As BW is only one component of metabolic health, additional clinical outcomes should be assessed to provide further insight regarding overall health status. Support or Funding Information Funded by an Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station/National Institute of Food and Agriculture research grant (#1001251).