Exercise as a Buffer Against Stress-induced Overeating

Lifespan

Status: Completed

Conditions: Obesity

Treatments: Other: Exercise intervention; Other: Delayed exercise intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02936076

K01DK100498 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

592916-14

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological benefits of chronic exercise as well as the effects of exercise training on eating behaviors and stress-induced overeating in overweight and obese women. Participants will be randomized to an 12-week exercise condition or a delayed exercise condition. Assessments will occur at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks and will include answering surveys in real-time using smartphones, several assessments of eating behaviors and dietary intake, and questionnaire measures of factors which could mediate the relationship between exercise and eating. Participants will be compensated for completing assessments and for adherence to the exercise protocol.

Enrollment: 49 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female
• 18-60 years of age
• BMI 25 to <40 kg/m2
• Physically inactive (<60 min/week of physical activity)
• Must own a smartphone
• Must be willing to receive and respond to text message prompts for 14 days at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Shift workers
• Individuals who do not endorse stress-eating
• Recent weight loss or current enrollment in a weight loss program
• Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant in the next 6 months
• Any medical condition that would limit participation in physical activity
• Diabetes
• Inability to walk without an assisted device
• Inability to meet exercise recommendations
• Failure to adequately complete all baseline assessment measures

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

49 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Exercise condition

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants randomized to the exercise condition will participate in a 12-week exercise training program. The exercise intervention will consist of both supervised and unsupervised exercise sessions and progress to 200 minutes/week of moderate-intensity exercise. Exercise bouts will be spread across 4-6 days and be at least 20 minutes in duration. During supervised visits, heart rate will be monitored by a member of the research staff to ensure that exercise is within the prescribed intensity range and ratings of perceived exertion and feeling state will be assessed periodically. Unsupervised exercise will be verified using objective physical activity monitors.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise intervention

Delayed exercise condition

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants randomized to the delayed exercise condition will be asked not to change their exercise or eating habits over the 12-week period and will complete the same assessment measures as the exercise condition. However, following the completion of the 12-week period, participants will be given two options: 1) receive a one-on-one session with an exercise physiologist at our center and receive a written exercise program, and at this time point all study obligations will be completed, or 2) complete the identical exercise protocol as the 'exercise' condition.

Treatment:

Other: Delayed exercise intervention