University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Doctoral Dissertations
Graduate School
8-2011
An Eating Frequency Prescription for a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention Jessica Lynne Bachman
[email protected]
Recommended Citation Bachman, Jessica Lynne, "An Eating Frequency Prescription for a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2011. http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/1055
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To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Jessica Lynne Bachman entitled "An Eating Frequency Prescription for a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention." I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Nutritional Sciences. Hollie A. Raynor, Major Professor We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance: Betsy Haughton, Marsha L. Spence, Eugene C. Fitzhugh Accepted for the Council: Dixie L. Thompson Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official student records.)
An Eating Frequency Prescription for a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention
A Dissertation Presented for The Doctor of Philosophy Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Jessica Lynne Bachman August 2011
Acknowledgements I cannot thank my dissertation advisor, Dr. Hollie Raynor, enough for all of the time effort, encouragement and, when needed, tough love that she gave me to help me through the doctoral program. If I turn in to half of the scientist and professional that she is, I will be doing very well for myself. I would also like to thank my entire committee – Dr. Betsy Haughton, Dr. Marsha Spence, and Dr. Eugene Fitzhugh- for all of your guidance from the early stages of developing my proposal to the final stages of giving me feedback on the finished product. I would also especially like to thank my family – Ben, Mom, and Dad – as well as my friends for all their support and for believing that I would be able to finish this process even when I wasn‟t so sure myself.
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Abstract Improved weight loss interventions are needed to help reduce obesity. One dietary factor that has been effective in increasing weight loss is increased dietary structure. One method for increasing dietary structure is prescribing the frequency in which eating bouts (meals and snacks) occur. Eating frequency (EF) has been inversely related to body mass index (BMI) but the impact of EF on weight loss is unclear. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of EF on hunger, the relative-reinforcing value of food, energy intake (EI), and weight loss during a 6 month behavioral weight loss intervention. Participants (age: 51.0 ± 9.9 yrs, BMI: 35.5 ± 4.8 kg/m2, 57.8% female, 94.1% white) were randomized to one of two EF prescriptions: 1) Three Meal (n=25): three eating bouts/day; or 2) Grazing (n=26): eat at least 100 kcals every 2-3 hrs. Both groups attended 20 sessions and had identical dietary (1200–1500 kcals/day, < 30% kcals from fat) and physical activity (200 minutes/wk) goals. Hunger, relative-reinforcing value of food, diet, and anthropometric data were collected at 0 and 6 months. Using intent-to-treat analyses, Grazing reported a greater EF (eating bouts in which > 25 kcals were eaten/day) than Three Meal at 6 months (5.8 ± 1.1 eating bouts vs. 3.2 ± 0.6 eating bouts, p
