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Comparing Diet and Exercise Approaches in Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Diet Modification
Interventions
Other: Curves Circuit
Other: Weight Watchers
Registration Number
NCT04372771
Lead Sponsor
Texas A&M University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether following a Curves high protein/low fat diet (30% carbohydrate, 45% protein, 25% fat) for 30-days several times during 16 weeks of participating in the Curves fitness program promotes stepwise reductions in body weight, improvements in body composition and/or improvements in markers of fitness and health better than following the Weight Watchers Momentum Program for the same time period.

Detailed Description

The Curves International fitness and weight loss program has become a very popular means of promoting health and fitness among women. The program involves a 30-minute circuit training program and a weight management program involving periods of moderate caloric restriction (1,200 to 1,600 calories per day) followed by short periods of higher caloric intake (2,600 calories per day). The program is designed to promote a gradual reduction in body fat while increasing strength and muscle mass/tone. Researchers in the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab at Texas A\&M University have conducted an extensive study on the effectiveness and safety of the Curves fitness and diet program. Results of this initial study have shown that the program promotes weight loss, improves markers of health, and improves fitness. The Weight Watchers program is another popular weight loss program. It provides a systematic approach to diet and exercise throughout the weight-loss process. Consequently we are interested in comparing the efficacy of both programs to one another. The purpose of this study is to determine whether following a Curves high protein/low fat diet (30% carbohydrate, 45% protein, 25% fat) for 30-days several times during 16 weeks of participating in the Curves fitness program promotes stepwise reductions in body weight, improvements in body composition and/or improvements in markers of fitness and health better than following the Weight Watchers Momentum Program for the same time period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participant is female
  • Participant is between the ages of 18 and 45
  • Participant is sedentary and overweight (BMI > 27)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Participant has any metabolic disorder including known electrolyte abnormalities, heart disease, arrhythmias, diabetes, thyroid disease, or hypogonadism;
  • Participant has a history of hypertension, hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune or neurological disease;
  • Participant is taking thyroid, hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive or androgenic medications;
  • Participant has been pregnant or lactating within the past 12 months or are planning to become pregnant during the next 12 months;
  • Participant is involved in a planned exercise program (> 30 min./d. 3 d./wk.) within 3 - 6 months prior to the start of the study;
  • Participant has taken any weight loss medications and/or dietary supplements that may affect muscle mass or body weight during the three month time period prior to beginning the study;
  • Participant has a recent history of weight change (+/- 7 lbs. within the last 3 months).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Curves ProgramCurves CircuitThe Curves group will follow the high protein/low fat diet (30% carbohydrate, 45% protein, 25% fat) for 7-days at 1,200 kcals/day and then 1,500 kcals/day for the remaining 21-days of the 30-day diet period. The participants will then consume a normal maintenance diet (2,200 kcals/d; 45% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 25% fat) for 30-days. During the maintenance period, participants will diet for 2-days at 1,200 kcals/day if they gain 3 pounds of weight.
Weight Watchers Momentum ProgramWeight WatchersThis program is based on the Weight Watchers four pillar approach (food, exercise, behavior and support). The Momentum Program uses POINTS values to help keep track of what you eat. A POINTS "budget" will be personalized for you at the weekly meetings.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Body Composition: Lean MassMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in body composition (lbs. lean mass) obtained via DXA and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Body Composition: Body WeightMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in body weight (lbs. body weight) obtained via digital scale and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Body Composition: Fat MassMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in body composition (lbs. fat mass) obtained via Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Energy Homeostasis: Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in REE obtained via metabolic cart and expressed in absolute (kcal/d) and relative terms (kcals/kg/d) and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Body Composition: Percent Body FatMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in body composition (% body fat) obtained via DXA and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscular Endurance: 80% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) Leg Press Endurance TestMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 16 weeks

Changes in total repetitions at 80% of 1RM obtained from a leg press test and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Hormones: LeptinMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in leptin obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Lipid Panel: HDL CholesterolMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in HDL cholesterol obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Lipid Panel: LDL CholesterolMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in LDL cholesterol obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Muscular Strength: 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) Leg PressMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 16 weeks

Changes in leg press 1RM obtained from a leg press test and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Lipid Panel: Cholesterol:HDL RatioMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR): Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin ResistanceMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in HOMA-IR obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Dietary Energy Intake: CarbohydrateMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in dietary carbohydrate intake (g/d and g/kg/d) analyzed with related energy intake outcome measures via General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Muscular Strength: 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) Bench PressMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 16 weeks

Changes in bench press 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) obtained from a bench press test and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Lipid Panel: TriglyceridesMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in triglycerides obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Hormones: InsulinMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in insulin obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Anthropometric Measures: Waist CircumferenceMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in waist circumference obtained via tape measure and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Anthropometric Measures: Waist to Hip RatioMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in the ratio of waist to hip (waist/hip circumference) analyzed with related anthropometric outcome measures via General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Exercise Capacity: Peak Exercise Capacity (VO2)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 16 weeks

Changes in exercise capacity (VO2 max) obtained via a treadmill test and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Dietary Energy Intake: ProteinMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in dietary protein intake (g/d and g/kg/d) analyzed with related energy intake outcome measures via General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Muscular Endurance: 80% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) Bench Press Endurance TestMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 16 weeks

Changes in total repetitions at 80% of 1RM obtained from a bench press test and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Lipid Panel: CholesterolMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in cholesterol obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): GlucoseMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in glucose obtained via venous blood draws and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Hemodynamic Variable: Resting Heart Rate (HR)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in resting heart rate (HR) obtained via a blood pressure meter and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Anthropometric Measures: Hip CircumferenceMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in hip circumference obtained via tape measure and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Exercise Capacity: Time to Peak Exercise Capacity (time to peak VO2)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 16 weeks

Changes in exercise capacity (time to peak VO2 max) obtained via a treadmill test and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Dietary Energy Intake: Total Caloric Intake (kcals/d)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in caloric/energy intake (kcals/d) analyzed with related energy intake outcome measures via General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Hemodynamic Variable: Resting Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) obtained via a blood pressure meter and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Hemodynamic Variable: Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure (SBP)Measured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) obtained via a blood pressure meter and analyzed by General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

Dietary Energy Intake: FatMeasured prior to supplementation (Pre), and after 4, 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks

Changes in dietary fat intake (g/d and g/kg/d) analyzed with related energy intake outcome measures via General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures and mean change from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI's)

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