Study of Novel Approaches for Prevention (SNAP)
Weight Gain
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Weight Gain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. BMI of 21 - 30 kg/m2
Exclusion Criteria:
- Untreated hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or type 2 diabetes, unless permission is provided by their health care provider.
- Heart disease, heart problems or report being prescribed drugs for blood pressure or a major heart condition, unless permission is provided by their health care provider.
- Type 1 diabetes or treatment of type 2 diabetes with insulin or oral medication that may cause hypoglycemia.
- Health problems which may influence the ability to walk for physical activity (e.g. lower limb amputation) or other reasons why a person should not do physical activity, unless permission is provided from their health care provider.
- Health problems that may be associated with unintentional weight change or affect the safety of a weight loss program, including report of a heart attack or stroke, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, loss of consciousness, active tuberculosis, HIV, chronic hepatitis B or C, inflammatory bowel disease requiring treatment within the past year, thyroid disease, renal disease, liver disease, hospitalization for asthma in the past year, or cancer within the past 5 years (except for non-melanoma skin cancers or early stage cervical cancer) or chronic use of steroid medication.
- Report of a past diagnosis of or treatment for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition-Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa) or meet criteria for anorexia or bulimia nervosa during screening for this trial
- Report of a past diagnosis of or current symptoms of alcohol or substance dependence.
- Currently pregnant, pregnant within the past 6 months, or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months.
- History of schizophrenia, manic depression, or bipolar disorder.
- Hospitalization for depression or other psychiatric disorder within the past 12 months.
- Having lost and maintained a weight loss of 10 pounds or more within the past 6 months or are currently participating in a weight loss program, trying to gain weight, using steroids for muscle mass or weight gain, taking weight loss medication, or have had surgery for weight loss.
- Participation in another weight loss or physical activity study that would interfere with this study.
- Another member of the household (or roommate) is a participant or staff member on this trial.
- Reason to suspect that the participant would not adhere to the study intervention or assessment schedule (i.e., can't come to group on a regular basis; will be away for more than two weeks during initial intervention phase or planning to move from the area within next year).
- Not able to speak and understand English.
- Residence or place of work further than 30 miles from the intervention site.
- Perceived inability to attend the 2 year data collection visit.
- Does not have Internet access on a regular basis.
Sites / Locations
- University of North Carolina
- The Miriam Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Control Group
Small behavior changes
Large behavior changes
"Self-Guided Behavior Changes". This group will be used to determine average rate of weight gain over 3 years with little intervention. Participants randomized to this group will receive one face-to-face session that will provide general education of self-weighing and information about both the small and large changes approach. Participants will also be provided with quarterly newsletters describing study events and very limited information on health eating.
Participants randomized to this group will be taught to self-weigh daily and report weights regularly. They will be reinforced for maintaining weight below randomization weight and taught that if weight exceeds randomization weight, they should reinstate small changes (e.g., modify diet by approximately 100 kcal, decrease portion sizes or change types of food, increase activity by 2000 steps/day).
Participants randomized to this group will be taught to self-weigh daily and report weights regularly. They will be reinforced for maintaining weight below randomization weight and taught that if weight exceeds randomization weight, they should reinstate large changes (e.g., modify diet to 1200-1500 or 1500-1800 kcal/day with < 30% fat, increase exercise to 250 minutes/week of moderate intensity activity).