PREVENTING WEIGHT-GAIN IN ADULTS - DESIGN, METHODS AND ONE-YEAR RESULTS FROM THE POUND OF PREVENTION STUDY

OBJECTIVE: To describe the design, methods, and first year results of the Pound of Prevention (POP) study, a randomized trial examining whet her weight gain with age can be prevented using low intensity interven tion. DESIGN: Participants were randomized to either (1) no-contact co ntrol, (2) education through monthly newsletters and semiannual classe s on nutrition and exercise, and (3) education plus a lottery incentiv e for participation. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and twenty-eight men, 594 h igh-income women, and 404 low-income women. Entry requirements were ag e 20-45 y, healthy, and willing to participate for three years. MEASUR EMENTS: At baseline and one year later, participants were weighed and completed questionnaires about behaviors and attitudes related to weig ht and weight control. RESULTS: Mean body mass indices at baseline wer e 28.1, 26.1, and 28.2 for men, high-income women and low-income women , respectively. After one year, participants in the intervention condi tions reported significantly increased frequency of weight monitoring, but no change in other targeted behaviors. One year weight changes in the control, education, and education plus lottery groups were 1.94 I b, 0.72 Ib, and 0.21 Ib in men; 1.38 Ib, 1.03 Ib, and 0.51 Ib in high- income women; and 1.30 Ib, 2.11 Ib, and 3.23 Ib in low-income women. C ONCLUSIONS: These one-year results suggest that the intervention may b e having a greater impact on high than low-income participants.