Comparing Diet and Exercise Approaches in Women (CWW)

Texas A&M University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Diet Modification

Treatments: Other: Curves Circuit; Other: Weight Watchers

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04372771

IRB2010-0130F

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 120 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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120 participants in 3 patient groups

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

No diet or exercise intervention

Curves Program

Experimental group

Description:

The 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.

Treatment:

Other: Curves Circuit

Weight Watchers Momentum Program

Experimental group

Description:

This 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.

Treatment:

Other: Weight Watchers