NCT01687803

Evaluating the Health Benefits of Physical Activity Recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 37 (actual)
• Sponsor: USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center · Federal
• Sex: Female
• Age: 42 Years – 52 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The overall goal of this study is to determine the health benefits associated with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines physical activity prescription in healthy, peri-menopausal women. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines specifically state that to avoid unhealthy weight gain, adults should participate in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity on most days of the week.

Detailed description

This study will be a randomized controlled trial conducted over a 6 to 7 month period. Subjects will be enrolled by cohorts and randomly assigned to one of two groups. * Group 1 (PA): physical activity intervention that will consist of brisk walking or other aerobic-type activities (6 days per week), resistance exercise (using free weights, resistance bands or weight stacks for weight lifting, 3 days per week), and 'active lifestyle' activities such as gardening, dancing, participation in sporting activities. The total time spent in these activities will add up to \~60 min/day for 6 days/week (\~360 minutes per week). * Group 2 (CON): control group will maintain their usual level of physical activity and participate in testing protocols, record keeping, and interviews on the same schedule as PA. This group will be offered an opportunity to have a gym membership/access to the training facility after completion of the 6-month period of serving as controls. The specific aims of this pilot study are to: * Assess each participant's level of compliance/adherence * Assess the dietary habits of study participants as they become more physically active. * Identify barriers to physical activity in this specific population. * Measure changes in body composition, physical fitness and energy expenditure. * Evaluate changes in chronic disease risk factors. * Determine if regular physical activity reduces chronic stress.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Body Weight

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Physical Activity	Physical activity intervention that will consist of brisk walking or other aerobic-type activities (6 days per week), resistance exercise (using free weights, resistance bands or weight stacks for weight lifting, 3 days per week), and 'active lifestyle' activities such as gardening, dancing, participation in sporting activities. The total time spent in these activities will add up to \~60 min/day for 6 days/week (\~360 minutes per week).
BEHAVIORAL	Control	The control group will maintain their usual level of physical activity and participate in testing protocols, record keeping, and interviews.

Timeline

• Start date: 2006-10-01
• Primary completion: 2009-09-01
• Completion: 2011-09-01
• First posted: 2012-09-19
• Last updated: 2012-09-19