Lifestyle, Eating, and Activity Patterns (LEAP)

Eating Frequency Prescription for a Behavioral Weigh Loss Intervention

The purpose of this research is to test the effect of manipulating eating frequency on hunger and the reinforcing value of food in 50 overweight/obese adults participating in a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity; Overweight
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Behavioral weight loss intervention

Detailed Description

Previous observational and experimental research suggests that increased eating frequency is related to lower weight, body mass index (BMI)and body fatness. It is proposed that eating frequently during the day reduces overall energy consumed by preventing the development of excessive hunger. As elevated hunger increases the reinforcing value of food, and greater intake occurs when the reinforcing value of food increases, eating frequently during the day may be a dietary strategy that can aid with reducing energy intake and improving weight loss during a behavioral weight control program. Therefore, the purpose of this proposed research is to test the effect of manipulating eating frequency on hunger and the reinforcing value of food in 50 overweight/obese adults participating in a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention. Participants will be randomized to 1 of 2 conditions: 1) a condition in which participants will be given an eating frequency prescription to eat every 2 to 3 hours (Grazing); or 2) a condition in which participants will be given an eating frequency prescription of eating 3 meals per day (Three Meals). Both conditions will receive an identical dietary prescription, a low-calorie (1200 to 1500 kcals/d), low-fat (≤ 30% kcals from fat) diet and an identical physical activity goal of 200 minutes of moderate-intense physical activity per week. Additionally, both conditions will receive an identical state-of-the-art, 6-month, behavioral weight loss program.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Tennessee
    • Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 37996-1920
      • Healthy Eating and Acitivty Laboratory, University of Tennessee

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 65 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 45 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness
• report being unable to walk 1/4 mile without stopping
• report major psychological disease or organic brain syndromes
• report a diagnosis of type I or type II diabetes
• are currently participating in a weight loss program, are taking weight loss medication, have had surgery for weight loss, or have lost > 5% of their body weight in the past 6 months
• are currently participating in a program that manipulates their eating habits
• intent to move outside of the East Tennessee area within the time frame of the intervention
• are pregnant, lactating, less than 6 months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the time frame of the intervention
• are unwilling to attend group intervention meetings, assessments, or complete a food diary for the duration of the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: NONE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Grazing; participants will be given an eating frequency prescription to eat every 2 to 3 hours	Behavioral: Behavioral weight loss intervention; both conditions will receive an identical dietary prescription, low-calorie and less than 30% calories from fat and an identical physical activity goal of 200 minutes of moderate-intense physical activity per week during a 6 month behavioral weight loss program
EXPERIMENTAL: Three Meals; participants will be given an eating frequency prescription of eating 3 meals per day	Behavioral: Behavioral weight loss intervention; both conditions will receive an identical dietary prescription, low-calorie and less than 30% calories from fat and an identical physical activity goal of 200 minutes of moderate-intense physical activity per week during a 6 month behavioral weight loss program

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
eating occasions per day	0, 3, and 6 months
hunger and reinforcing value of food	0, 3, and 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
energy and percent calories from fat intake	0, 3, and 6 months
body weight, percent body fat, percent fat free mass	0, 3, and 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Collaborators: American Heart Association
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jessica L Bachman, MS, MPH, RD, University of Tennessee; Study Chair: Hollie A Raynor, PhD, RD, University of Tennessee

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): December 1, 2011
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): December 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2009
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): July 23, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): April 5, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 3, 2018
• Last Verified: April 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: weight loss; intervention studies; feeding behavior; dietary intake; eating frequency
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight; Overweight
• Other Study ID Numbers: AHA 09PRE2020150