Effects of a 12‐week Telenutrition Weight Loss Intervention on Diet Quality in Men

Abstract

Poor diet and obesity are independent risk factors for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This study used a randomized controlled trial design to pilot test the effect of a 12‐week home‐delivered telenutrition weight loss program on diet quality in 40–70 year old men with obesity, waist circumference >40 inches and at least one chronic health condition. Both the control (n=29) and the intervention group (n=27) received diet‐related educational materials. Only the intervention group received individualized, weekly support by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) via telephone and videoconferencing. Diet was assessed using 4‐day food records and Nutrition Data Systems for Research (NDSR) software at weeks 0, 6, and 12. Diet quality was determined using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI‐2010). Diet quality significantly increased 9.5 points in both groups (95% CI: 3.7, 15.2) at week 6. The telenutrition group scores further increased by 9.3 points (95% CI 1.0, 17.6). No additional increase occurred at week 12 (control p‐value: 0.22; telenutrition p‐value: 0.55). A 10‐point improvement in diet quality was, on average, associated with a 0.7% reduction in body weight (95% CI: 0.4, 1.0; p‐value < 0.001). Weight loss programs delivered via videoconferencing can be effective for improving diet quality in men in health disparate areas like Appalachia.Support or Funding InformationWest Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Health Outcomes and Policy Evaluation (HOPE) Funding Opportunity with funds made available from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.