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Title: Steps Ahead: Adaptation of physical activity and dietary guidelines for reducing unhealthy weight gain in the Lower Misissippi Delta

Author
item HARRINGTON, DEIDRE - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item CHAMPAGNE, CATHERINE - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item BROYLES, STEPHANIE - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item JOHNSON, WILLIAM - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item LEVY, ERMA - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item TUDOR-LOCKE, CATRINE - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item WROTEN, KATHERINE - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item KATZMARZYK, PETER - Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2013
Publication Date: 5/22/2013
Citation: Harrington, D., Champagne, C., Broyles, S.T., Johnson, W.D., Levy, E.J., Tudor-Locke, C., Wroten, K.C., Katzmarzyk, P.T. 2013. Steps Ahead: Adaptation of physical activity and dietary guidelines for reducing unhealthy weight gain in the Lower Misissippi Delta [abstract]. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Paper No. 198.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The purpose of our study was to test the effectiveness of adapting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010) (DG), with and without a physical activity (PA) component, in reducing weight gain in the Lower Mississippi Delta region (LMD) of the United States. A sample of 121 White and African-American adults (ages 35 - 64 yrs; BMI 25 - 34.9 kg/m2) were randomized to an adapted DG only group (n = 61) or an adapted DG+PA group (n = 60). Primary outcomes of weight, BMI, and waist circumference (WC) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of an education and behavior change intervention. Mixed linear models were used to investigate changes in the outcome variables over time, controlling for baseline level. Overall, 81.8% of participants returned at follow-up (85.2% in DG group, 78.3% in DG+PA group). Weight, BMI, and WC significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.05). Pooling both groups, the mean changes (SD) in weight, BMI, and WC were -1.22 (2.61) kg, -0.43 (0.64) kg/m2, and -1.89 (4.11) cm, respectively. Although no significant between-group differences were observed for changes in BMI (p = 0.134) or WC (p = 0.136) differences between groups for weight neared significance (p= 0.055). Interventions to deliver adapted dietary guidelines were successful in reducing weight outcomes. However, the inclusion of a PA component (education and a pedometer) did not increase the effectiveness of the intervention. This short-term, low burden intervention could be an effective strategy to increase adherence to the Dietary Guidelines.