Men participating in a weight-loss intervention are able to implement key dietary messages, but not those relating to vegetables or alcohol: the Self-Help, Exercise and Diet using Internet Technology (SHED-IT) study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe dietary changes in men participating in an obesity intervention as part of the Self-Help, Exercise and Diet using Information Technology (SHED-IT) study.


METHODS
An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing Internet (n 34) v. information-only groups (n 31) with 6-month follow-up. Dietary intake assessed by FFQ, reporting usual consumption of seventy-four foods and six alcoholic beverages using a 10-point frequency scale. A single portion size (PSF) factor was calculated based on photographs to indicate usual serving sizes.


METHODS
The campus community of the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
Sixty-five overweight/obese men (43 % students, 42 % non-academic general staff, 15 % academic staff; mean age 35.9 (sd 11.1) years, mean BMI 30.6 (sd 2.8) kg/m2).


RESULTS
The average PSF decreased significantly over time (χ2 = 20.9, df = 5, P < 0.001) with no differences between groups. While both groups reduced mean daily energy intake (GLM χ2 = 34.5, df = 3, P < 0.001), there was a trend towards a greater reduction in the Internet group (GLM χ2 = 3.3, P = 0.07). Both groups reduced percentage of energy from fat (P < 0.05), saturated fat (P < 0.001) and energy-dense/nutrient-poor items (P < 0.05), with no change in dietary fibre or alcohol (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although men reported some positive dietary changes during weight loss, they did not increase vegetable intakes nor decrease alcohol consumption, while saturated fat, fibre and Na intakes still exceeded national targets. Future interventions for men should promote specific food-based guidelines to target improvements in their diet-related risk factor profile for chronic diseases.
Collins
Clare E
CE
School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. clare.collins@newcastle.edu.au
Morgan
Philip J
PJ
Warren
Janet M
JM
Lubans
David R
DR
Callister
Robin
R
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss
D004041:Dietary Fats