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A Novel Approach to Reducing Adiposity Among Young Men

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Lifestyle Risk Reduction
Cardiovascular Diseases
Weight Loss
Obesity
Men
Interventions
Behavioral: Self-guided lifestyle intervention
Registration Number
NCT04267263
Lead Sponsor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this research study is to find out whether a primarily self-guided program can produce changes in weight, body fat and cardiovascular risk among young men.

Detailed Description

This self-guided lifestyle intervention may help men to reduce weight and improve heart health because it has been adapted to meet the possible weight loss needs of young men. Young men may experience reductions in body weight after enrollment in the intervention, but this is unknown.

Study participation lasts approximately 3 months. Participants will be assessed by the study staff and fill out questionnaires about current lifestyle practices (diet, physical activity, sleep habits, risk behaviors). Weight, medical events, and medication use within the last 3 months will be assessed. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to the control group or self-guided group.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
35
Inclusion Criteria
  1. self-identify as a man
  2. 18-35 years old
  3. BMI 25-45kg/m2
  4. Live in North America
Exclusion Criteria
  1. an uncontrolled medical condition that might make it unsafe to change their eating or engage in unsupervised physical activity (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension)
  2. a diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
  3. report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), which will be administered during prescreen
  4. currently enrolled in another weight loss program, taking weight loss medication or history of weight loss surgery
  5. change in medication(s) within the last 3 months that could influence weight (e.g., steroids)
  6. have lost > 5% body weight within the last 3 months
  7. report a history of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa or any compensatory behaviors within the previous 3 months
  8. report hospitalization for a psychiatric condition within the last year
  9. report high alcohol intake (AUDIT score > 16).
  10. are not able to speak and read English
  11. do not possess a mobile device or are unwilling to use it to receive study text messages
  12. Given strict data regulations outside of North America (i.e., Europe), we will only include participants living in North America (i.e., United States, Canada).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Lifestyle groupSelf-guided lifestyle interventionParticipants will receive the treatment immediately
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percent weight lost3 months

Percent weight change (measured in kg via calibrated scale); calculated as: (post-treatment weight - baseline weight) / baseline weight \*100

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in perceived risk for heart diseaseBaseline to 3 months

Perceived risk assessed via 12-item Risk Behavior Diagnosis scale

Change in minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activityBaseline to 3 months

Physical activity assessed via 21-item Global Physical Activity Questionnaire

Change in diet qualityBaseline to 3 months

Dietary habits assessed via 26-item National Cancer Institute's Dietary Screening Questionnaire

Change in sleep qualityBaseline to 3 months

Sleep habits assessed via 6-item Common Elements Sleep Quesitonnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

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