None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary aim of this project is to investigate whether the inclusion of different types of snack foods in an energy restricted diet (i.e. a diet that provides fewer kilojoules than you currently consume) improves weight loss and limits weight regain. We are also interested in seeing whether there are improvements in cardiovascular, liver and gut health and quality of life and functional mobility. We hypothesize that consuming almonds as a snack, when compared to carbohydrate-rich foods, will lead to greater weight loss during the energy restriction phase and will be more effective at limiting weight gain during the weight maintenance phase.
Interventions
A 9 month randomized, controlled parallel arm dietary intervention comprising a 3 month
energy restriction phase (approximately ~30% energy deficit to induce weight loss) followed by a 6 month weight
maintenance phase (energy requirements calculated on an individual basis based on energy needs to maintain their 3-month time point weight). Participants' diets will include almonds (as 15% of their overall energy requirements) during both the 3 months of energy restricted weight loss and the follow
A 9 month randomized, controlled parallel arm dietary intervention comprising a 3 month energy restriction phase (approximately ~30% energy deficit to induce weight loss) followed by a 6 month weight maintenance phase (energy requirements calculated on an individual basis based on energy needs to maintain their 3-month time point weight). Participants' diets will include almonds (as 15% of their overall energy requirements) during both the 3 months of energy restricted weight loss and the following 6 months of weight maintenance. The intervention group will incorporate almonds as a snack 6 days/week during both weight loss and weight maintenance. This study will be undertaken with overweight/obese, but otherwise healthy, participants in a free-living environment. Intensive dietary counselling will be provided, during weight loss (individual appointments every 2 weeks) and less intensive counselling during weight maintenance (group sessions every 2 weeks for the first month and then monthly). Participants will be provided with daily checklists with recommended intakes of a variety of foods for meeting their restricted energy requirements. In addition, adherence to diet during the energy restriction phase and weight maintenance periods will be assessed by participants recording food-diaries, 24-hour diet recalls and the daily checklists. Almond consumption will be monitored by almond return and count and daily checklists.
Sponsors
Assoc.Prof. Alison Coates
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
25 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
• Males and females aged 25-65 years. • Overweight or obese with BMI between 27.5 -34.9 kg/m2. • Non-smoker (minimum 6 months). • Weight stable (within 5kg) in the past 3 months.
Exclusion criteria
• Have cardiovascular disease (including uncontrolled high blood pressure) or a chronic disease, including Type-1 or -2 diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney or liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders requiring medical nutrition therapy (e.g. Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel, coeliac disease) • Have allergies to nuts, gluten or other components of the test foods. • Consume more than 30g nuts per week in the month prior to beginning the trial. • Participant has a recent history (within 12 months) or strong potential for alcohol abuse. Defined as >14 standard drinks per week. • Are unable to chew hard foods such as nuts. • Have changed medication or supplementation in the last 3 months. • Take vitamin, mineral, herbal supplementation or medications that may have an impact on study outcomes. • Unwilling to stop dietary supplements that influence weight. • Suffer claustrophobia or a fear of enclosed spaces • Are already involved in another research project within 30 days of commencement of the present study that in the opinion of the investigators will be unsuitable for this study. • Are pregnant or breastfeeding. • Show unwillingness to be randomized to either experimental group. • Failure to satisfy the investigator regarding suitability to participate for any other reason. • Are unwilling or unable to provide written consent.
Outcome results
None listed