New study: Comparing the impact of two federally recommended strategies to reduce excess body fat
In a new study titled "Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial of 2 Federally Recommended Strategies to Reduce Excess Body Fat in Overweight, Low-Income Patients: MyPlate.gov vs Calorie Counting," published in the Annals of Family Medicine, researchers determined that, for some groups, the MyPlate-based intervention may be a practical alternative to the more traditional calorie counting approach.
Background
Researchers hypothesized that focusing on satiety (feeling free of hunger) and satiation (feeling satisfied with a meal) through the consumption of fruits and vegetables may be better targets for weight loss success. The researchers compared the impact of two diets — Diabetes Prevention Program Calorie Counting versus MyPlate — on satiation (feeling satisfied with a meal), satiety (feeling free of hunger) and on body fat composition in primary care patients. Two hundred and sixty-one overweight, adult, low-income Latina patients, participated in the randomized control trial over a 12 month period. Over the course of the study, community health workers conducted two home education visits; two group education sessions; and seven telephone coaching calls for each participant over a six-month period. The researchers measured satiation and satiety, as well as waist circumference and body weight among participants. These measures were assessed at the beginning of the trial and again at six- and 12-month follow-up visits.
What This Study Found
The researchers found satiation and satiety scores increased for participants on both diets. Both MyPlate and Calorie Counting participants reported higher quality of life and emotional well-being, as well as decreased waist circumference and high satisfaction with their assigned weight loss program. MyPlate participants experienced lower systolic blood pressure at a six month follow-up visit although this was not sustained over the 12-month trial period.
Implications
Results suggest that the MyPlate-based intervention may be a practical alternative to the more traditional calorie counting approach.
Researchers
Authors of the study include Dr. William McCarthy, Dr. Dena Herman, Dr. Thomas Belin, and Cindy Chang from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health; Dr. Lillian Gelberg from UCLA Fielding and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Melvin Rico from Charles R. Drew University; Maria Chandler and Stephanie Love from the Children's Clinic of Long Beach; and Evangelina Ramirez from Kalula Transport.
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EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
