Changes in diet during a lifestyle intervention program for inactive obese

Merete H. Helland, PhD, førsteamanuensis, Institutt for grunnskolelærerutdanning, idrett og spesialpedagogikk. Universitetet i Stavanger. merete.h.helland@uis.no

Sindre M. Dyrstad, PhD, førsteamanuensis, Institutt for grunnskolelærerutdanning, idrett og spesialpedagogikk. Universitetet i Stavanger

Abstract

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to investigate changes in diet during a one year lifestyle intervention program, provided by Norwegian primary health care.

Design: A total number of 35 inactive and obese individuals participated in a randomized, controlled trial.

Methods: Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Food Dairy (FD) were used to estimate dietary intake. At baseline, after six and 12 months participants filled out a four-day FD and at baseline and after 12 months FFQ was also included. The first six months consisted of physical training, organised as group-based exercise program lasting 40-60 minutes three days per week, and health education consisting of nutrition education, practical cooking and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), lasting 120 minutes for each component, every time. The last six months the participants were followed up once a week.  

Results: No significant differences in total energy intake were found between the intervention- and control group. The intervention group decreased their body weight by 2.3%, while the control group increased their body weight by 3.5% (difference between groups, p = 0.081).

Conclusions: The intervention group did not show any significant changes in their diet, and found it more difficult to change their diet than to start exercise. To change the participants existing diet it is suggested to extend the intensive intervention period to 12 months and to increase focus on nutrition education, CBT and practical cooking.

Keywords: Food Diary; Food Frequency Questionnaire; obesity; intervention; body weight.

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