Provision of Breakfast Food in Behavioral Weight Loss

A contributing factor to the rising prevalence of obesity may be increased portion sizes. However, the effect of portion size has not been studied independent of the effect of quantity of food in the context of a behavioral weight loss program. Providing pre-portioned single servings of food may make it easier to reduce caloric and dietary fat intake improving weight loss. In addition, breakfast skipping is associated with obesity and breakfast consumption is associated with weight loss success. Therefore, the objective of the proposed study is to investigate the effect of portion size on consumption of provided breakfast foods in the context of a behavioral weight loss program. Participants will be randomized to 1 of 2 standard 12-week behavioral obesity interventions. The first intervention, serving as a control, will provide participants with breakfast foods in non-portioned containers (Standard). A second intervention will provide participants with the same type and quantity of breakfast foods but they will be provided in pre-portioned single servings (Portion). Dependent variables include the number of calories consumed from the provided foods as well as overall caloric and fat consumption. If the provision of food in pre-portioned servings is effective at decreasing intake, future directions include conducting longer interventions to improve long-term weight loss outcomes in standard behavioral interventions.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

21 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center

Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 21 and 65 years. Older adults may have more medical co-morbidities and may require greater medical supervision.
Body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 40 kg/m2. Based upon the Evidence Report (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI], 1998), weight loss is recommended for individuals with a BMI > 25. However, individuals with a BMI of > 40 have more medical co-morbidities and require greater medical supervision.
Average current consumption of breakfast on four days or fewer.

Exclusion criteria

Report allergies to any of the foods provided in the treatment or report lactose intolerance due to the high lactose content of some of the foods provided.
Report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) (Thomas, Reading, & Shephard, 1992). Individuals endorsing joint problems, prescription medication usage, or other medical conditions that could limit exercise will be required to obtain written physician consent to participate.
Report major psychiatric diseases or organic brain syndromes.
Are currently participating in a weight loss program and/or taking weight loss medication or lost > 5% of body weight during the past 6 months.
Intend to move to another city within the time frame of the investigation or will be out of town and unavailable for meetings for more than one week during the treatment program.
Are pregnant, lactating, less than 6 months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the time frame of the investigation.

Treatment and study plan

Eating breakfast with portion and unportioned foods

Behavioral

Behavioral: eating breakfast with portion and unportioned foods

Primary outcomes

Intake of breakfast foods

Time frame: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

Weight loss

Time frame: 8 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Miriam Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2005
Primary completion: 2006
Study completion: 2006
First posted: Sep 20, 2005
Registry last updated: Apr 20, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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