Dietary Messages for Obesity

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Disqualifiers: Dietary restrictions, Physical activity restrictions, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

45 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Decrease Snack Foods, Increase Fruits and Vegetables, Increase Fruits and Vegetables and Decrease Snack Foods for obesity?

Research shows that increasing fruits and vegetables can lead to weight loss and improved health markers, while decreasing high-calorie snack foods can reduce overall calorie intake, supporting weight loss efforts. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the dietary intervention of increasing fruits and vegetables and decreasing snack foods safe for humans?

The research suggests that improving diet quality by increasing fruits and vegetables and reducing unhealthy snacks is generally safe for humans. These dietary changes are associated with better health outcomes and do not indicate any safety concerns. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

How does the 'Dietary Messages for Obesity' treatment differ from other obesity treatments?

The 'Dietary Messages for Obesity' treatment is unique because it focuses on changing dietary behaviors by reducing fat and sugar intake while increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits. Unlike other treatments that may focus on medication or surgery, this approach emphasizes improving diet quality through education and strategic food choices, potentially involving price manipulation to encourage healthier eating habits. ^{2 9 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Examine the effect of three different dietary messages on dietary intake and the health of parents and their children.

Research Team

Hollie Raynor, PhD, RD

Principal Investigator

University of Tennessee

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for families with a child aged 6-12 within a healthy weight range and an overweight parent willing to attend meetings. Both must speak English and not plan to move during the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Parent and child speak and read English

My parent is over 21 years old and has a BMI over 25.

My child is between 6 and 12 years old.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive dietary interventions focusing on increasing fruits and vegetables, decreasing snack foods, or both, over a 6-month period

6 months

Monthly check-ins (virtual or in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in dietary intake, physical activity, and other health metrics after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Decrease Snack Foods
• Increase Fruits and Vegetables
• Increase Fruits and Vegetables and Decrease Snack Foods

Trial Overview The study tests three diet messages: increasing fruits and vegetables, reducing snack foods, or doing both. It aims to see how these messages affect what families eat and their health.

Participant Groups

Group I: Increase Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A parent and child will be encouraged to increase fruits and vegetables. Children will be encouraged to consume 1 cup/day and 1.5 cups/day of whole fruit, and 1.5 cups/day and 2 cups/day of vegetables for children aged 6 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years, respectively. Children will gradually work towards these goals. Parents will also work towards F\&V goals, with 2 cups/day of whole fruit and 2.5 cups/day of vegetables.

Group II: Increase + Decrease Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Families will be encouraged to increase fruits and vegetables and decrease snack foods.

Group III: Decrease Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In the Decrease Snack Foods condition participants will reduce intake of SFs (i.e., candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream, chips, nuts) to \< 3 servings/week (for children aged 6 to 12 years, the solid fats and added sugar energy limit is 840 kcals/week and the DECREASE goal will help with meeting this limit). Children and parents will gradually work towards meeting these goals and self-monitor these behaviors.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Lead Sponsor

Trials

93

Recruited

19,500+

Findings from Research

In a study of 46 very obese individuals (11 inpatients and 35 outpatients), it was found that their caloric intake was directly related to their level of obesity, with both groups consuming high-calorie density foods and engaging in occasional binge eating.

By replacing high-calorie density foods with lower-calorie options, participants could potentially reduce their caloric intake by 20%, which could significantly aid in weight loss efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food intake of very obese persons: quantitative and qualitative aspects. Strain, GW., Hershcopf, RJ., Zumoff, B.[2007]

The typical American diet is unbalanced, with excessive added sugars and fats, and insufficient fruits and vegetables, indicating a need for significant dietary changes.

To improve diet quality and combat obesity, a combination of strategies is necessary, including reducing fat intake, increasing nutrition knowledge, and adjusting food prices to encourage healthier choices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strategies for intervention: commentary and debate. Frazao, E., Allshouse, J.[2018]

Randomized controlled trials indicate that increasing whole, fresh fruit consumption can help with weight maintenance or modest weight loss over periods of 3 to 24 weeks, suggesting it may be beneficial for those looking to manage their weight.

Observational studies show that higher habitual fruit intake is generally not linked to weight gain and may even provide modest protection against it, reinforcing the idea that whole, fresh fruit does not contribute to obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Whole, Fresh Fruit Consumption on Energy Intake and Adiposity: A Systematic Review. Guyenet, SJ.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food intake of very obese persons: quantitative and qualitative aspects. [2007]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strategies for intervention: commentary and debate. [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increased intake of fruits and vegetables in overweight subjects: effects on body weight, body composition, metabolic risk factors and dietary intake. [2016]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early patterns of food intake in an adolescent weight loss trial as predictors of BMI change. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining the pattern of new foods and beverages consumed during obesity treatment to inform strategies for self-monitoring intake. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Snacking behavior is associated with snack quality, overall diet quality, and body weight among US college students. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food Groups and Risk of Overweight, Obesity, and Weight Gain: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Compliance with Dietary Guidelines Varies by Weight Status: A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Adults. [2018]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary (sensory) variety and energy balance. [2012]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plenary Lecture 1: Dietary strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity. [2021]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrition as a link between obesity and cardiovascular disease: how can we stop the obesity epidemic? [2016]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Whole, Fresh Fruit Consumption on Energy Intake and Adiposity: A Systematic Review. [2020]