Nutrition Education for Obesity

(REEL DIETS Trial)

Overseen By Enid Keseko

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Vegan, Eating disorder, Pregnant, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how different health messages can help people improve their eating habits and feel more confident about making healthy food choices through nutrition education. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will watch videos about healthy eating, while the other will receive written handouts. This trial suits adults with a BMI of 25 or higher who have no dietary restrictions and can access the internet. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to contribute to valuable research on nutrition education and its impact on healthy eating habits.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that this nutrition education method is safe for participants?

Research has shown that nutrition education, such as the audio-visual messages used in this study, is generally safe. Studies have found that these methods can help lower body mass index (BMI) and reduce fat intake without causing harm. Similar educational approaches have not reported negative effects, indicating participants usually handle them well. The goal is to improve eating habits through engaging information, considered a low-risk way to address obesity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores different methods of delivering nutrition education to tackle obesity, offering potentially more engaging and effective ways of learning. Unlike traditional approaches that often rely solely on handouts or one-on-one counseling, this trial compares simple handouts with innovative audio-visual messaging, which uses videos and films to present healthy eating habits. The hope is that these dynamic, visually-rich materials may resonate more with participants, leading to better understanding and adoption of healthy behaviors. This could pave the way for more effective educational strategies in combating obesity.

What evidence suggests that this trial's nutrition education methods could be effective for obesity?

Research has shown that videos and films can help people improve their eating habits. In this trial, participants in the audio-visual messaging arm will watch educational videos, which make understanding and remembering information about healthy eating easier than just reading about it. This approach can also boost motivation and confidence in making healthier food choices. In past studies, people who watched educational videos reported better diets and felt more confident in managing their eating habits. Overall, using videos is a promising way to support healthier eating for those who are overweight or obese.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with overweight or obesity issues. Participants should be interested in improving their diet and willing to receive health messages or educational materials about healthy eating.

Inclusion Criteria

No dietary restrictions

Access to the internet

Availability to engage in group discussions

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or breastfeeding

Currently following a vegan or vegetarian diet

Recent participation in a weight loss or nutrition intervention (within the past 6 months)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage with audio-visual messages or receive written educational materials about healthy eating for four weeks

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for self-efficacy and diet quality after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Nutrition Education

Trial Overview The study tests if audio-visual messages can boost people's confidence in making healthier food choices compared to just getting written info. One group gets weekly videos on healthy eating, while the control group only gets pamphlets.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Audio-visual messaging Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will watch audio-visual messages on healthy eating per week for four weeks, presented through videos and films.

Group II: Handouts Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will not engage with any audio-visual messages but will receive educational materials about healthy eating in the form of handouts.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9951385/

Effects of nutritional intervention strategies in the primary ... Multicomponent nutritional interventions were ranked the most effective for reducing body mass index (P score 0.76) and intake of fat (0.82).

2. odphp.health.gov odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eating

Nutrition and Healthy Eating - Healthy People 2030 People who eat too many unhealthy foods — like foods high in saturated fat and added sugars — are at increased risk for obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes ...

3. who.int who.int/europe/news/item/23-05-2024-the-inequality-epidemic--low-income-teens-face-higher-risks-of-obesity--inactivity-and-poor-diet

The inequality epidemic: low-income teens face higher ... New WHO/Europe report finds alarming disparities in diet, exercise and weight among adolescents from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

4. cdc.gov cdc.gov/nccdphp/divisions-offices/about-the-division-of-nutrition-physical-activity-and-obesity.html

About the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Providing data on behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity among children, and how states promote healthy growth and obesity ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589936825000313

Obesity: Prevalence, causes, consequences, management ... Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, with over 1 billion people classified as obese in 2022, representing 13% of the global population.