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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2019 Jan 31;16(1):14.
doi: 10.1186/s12966-019-0771-z.

Dietary outcomes within the study of novel approaches to weight gain prevention (SNAP) randomized controlled trial

Jessica Gokee LaRose  1 , Rebecca H Neiberg  2 , E Whitney Evans  3   4 , Deborah F Tate  5 , Mark A Espeland  2 , Amy A Gorin  6 , Letitia Perdue  2 , Karen Hatley  5 , Cora E Lewis  7 , Erica Robichaud  3 , Rena R Wing  3   4 ; Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP) Research Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Dietary outcomes within the study of novel approaches to weight gain prevention (SNAP) randomized controlled trial

Jessica Gokee LaRose et al. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. .

Abstract

Background: Young adults (YA) are at high-risk for unhealthy dietary behaviors and weight gain. The Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP) Trial demonstrated that two self-regulation approaches were effective in reducing weight gain over 2 years compared with control. The goal of this analysis was to examine effects of intervention on dietary outcomes and the association of diet changes with weight change.

Methods: Participants were 599 YA, age 18-35 years, BMI 21.0-30.0 kg/m2 (27.4 ± 4.4 years; 25.4 ± 2.6 kg/m2; 22% men; 73% non-Hispanic White), who were recruited in Providence, RI and Chapel Hill, NC and randomized to self-regulation with Small Changes (SC), self-regulation with Large Changes (LC) or Control (C). SC and LC emphasized frequent self-weighing to cue behavior changes (small daily changes vs. periodic large changes) and targeted high-risk dietary behaviors. Diet and weight were assessed at baseline, 4 months and 2 years.

Results: LC and SC had greater decreases in energy intake than C at 4 months but not 2 years. LC had the greatest changes in percent calories from fat at 4 months, but differences were attenuated at 2 years. No differences in diet quality were observed. Across conditions, increased total energy consumption, fast food, meals away from home, and binge drinking, and decreased dietary quality and breakfast consumption were all associated with weight gain at 2 years.

Conclusions: This study suggests the need to strengthen interventions to produce longer term changes in dietary intake and helps to identify specific behaviors associated with weight gain over time in young adults.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT01183689 , registered August 18, 2010.

Keywords: Diet; Prevention; Weight gain; Young adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All procedures were reviewed at approved by the Wake Forest University IRB (Coordinating Center) and the Miriam Hospital IRB (Clinical Site) and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill IRB (Clinical Site). All participants provided informed consent to participate in the study; consent forms were reviewed and approved by the IRBs at the Clinical Sites.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

DFT is on the Scientific Advisory Board for Weight Watchers International. No other conflicts to declare.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Weight Change at 4 months and 2 Years by Intervention Assignment
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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