Overweight and Obesity
Conditions
Keywords
Weight loss, Cognitive function, Weight maintenance
Brief summary
More than two-thirds of middle-aged and older adults are overweight, which places them at greater risk of disability and higher medical expenses. Lifestyle interventions which promote weight loss for this population are needed. However, it is not known how different weight loss approaches impact brain (cognitive) functions, such as memory and attention. The investigator's investigation aims to improve adherence to a hypocaloric diet prescription through improved attention and inhibitory control, reduced hunger, and increased satiety. The objectives of this pilot study are to: 1) determine the feasibility and establish proof-of-concept; 2) establish proficiency and feasibility of the proposed cognitive function assessments; and 3) obtain preliminary data for effect size generation.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHypocaloric diet with hunger reduction strategy
Participants will be counseled to consume a hypocaloric diet during the 4-week weight loss phase. Counseling will include specific instructions on a dietary manipulation which may reduce hunger, in order to facilitate dietary adherence.This will include tracking of the strategy. They will also be provided a pedometer and instructed to attain 10,000 steps per day.
BEHAVIORALHypocaloric diet without hunger reduction strategy
Participants will be counseled to consume a hypocaloric diet during the 4-week weight loss phase. They will also be provided a pedometer and instructed to attain 10,000 steps per day.
Sponsors
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Overweight or obese, BMI 25-40 kg/m\^2 * Able to use a computer, keyboard, and mouse
Exclusion criteria
* Uncontrolled hypertension * Orthopedic injury * Other conditions that preclude participation in a walking program * Previous participation in psychology research which involved computerized cognitive testing * Diabetes which requires insulin
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive function changes - inhibitory control | 30-min measurement per session | Computerized tasks will score each participant's performance for inhibitory control at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases. |
| Cognitive function changes - attention | 30-min measurement per session | Computerized tasks will score each participant's performance for attention at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases. |
| Weight change | 5-min measurement per session | Weight will be measured on a scale at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived hunger | 15-minute measurement per session | The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) survey will be used to measure hunger at baseline and after both the 4-week weight loss and weight maintenance phases. Participants make a mark on a 100 mm line that corresponds to their subjective feelings (range of score is 0-100). The line is anchored by descriptors that are polar opposites (not at all hungry to extremely hungry). The score is determined by using the place on the line where the mark is made by the participants. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed