Weight Loss and Cognitive Function in Adults

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Overweight and Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: Hypocaloric diet without hunger reduction strategy; Behavioral: Hypocaloric diet with hunger reduction strategy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03685305

18-462

Details and patient eligibility

About

More than two-thirds of middle-aged and older adults are overweight, which places them at greater risk of disability and higher medical expenses. Lifestyle interventions which promote weight loss for this population are needed. However, it is not known how different weight loss approaches impact brain (cognitive) functions, such as memory and attention. The investigator's investigation aims to improve adherence to a hypocaloric diet prescription through improved attention and inhibitory control, reduced hunger, and increased satiety.

The objectives of this pilot study are to: 1) determine the feasibility and establish proof-of-concept; 2) establish proficiency and feasibility of the proposed cognitive function assessments; and 3) obtain preliminary data for effect size generation.

Enrollment: 33 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 75 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Overweight or obese, BMI 25-40 kg/m^2
• Able to use a computer, keyboard, and mouse

Exclusion criteria

• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Orthopedic injury
• Other conditions that preclude participation in a walking program
• Previous participation in psychology research which involved computerized cognitive testing
• Diabetes which requires insulin

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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33 participants in 2 patient groups

Hypocaloric diet with hunger reduction strategy

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be prescribed a hypocaloric diet with additional instructions to promote hunger reduction. The hypocaloric diet will range 1200-1500 kcal/d, and will be based upon the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Dietary instructions will be provided by a Registered Dietitian.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Hypocaloric diet with hunger reduction strategy

Hypocaloric diet without hunger reduction strategy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will only be prescribed a hypocaloric diet. The hypocaloric diet will range 1200-1500 kcal/d, and will be based upon the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Dietary instructions will be provided by a Registered Dietitian.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Hypocaloric diet without hunger reduction strategy