title: Changes to dietary intake during a 12-week commercial web-based weight loss program: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this secondary analysis was to compare changes in dietary intake among participants randomized to two versions of a 12-week commercial web-based weight loss program (basic or enhanced) with a waiting-list control. An additional investigation compared changes in dietary intake of successful participants (weight loss ≥5%) with those not successful.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks using a validated 120-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Adults (n=268, 60% female participants, body mass index 32.1 ± 3.9) classified as plausible reporters of energy intake were included in the analyses. Analysis of covariance with baseline observations carried forward for drop-outs (n=38) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The basic and enhanced groups significantly increased their percentage of energy contribution from fruits and reduced energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods compared with controls (P<0.001). Successful participants (n=49) reported superior improvements in dietary intake including greater reductions in the mean daily energy intake (P<0.001), the percentage of energy from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (-12.0% E vs -4.3% E, P<0.001) and greater increases in the energy contribution from fruits (P<0.001), vegetables (P=0.003) and breads/cereals (P=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a commercial web-based weight loss program facilitated some improvements in the dietary intake. The enhanced web-based tools appeared not to have generated greater improvements in reported dietary intake, compared with the basic or control groups. Those who achieved a weight loss of ≥5% improved their dietary intake in line with the program recommendations and dietary guidelines. Further research to determine web-based components that may improve success and the reasons why programs are successful for some participants is required.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medcine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hutchesson
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medcine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medcine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health and Saftey School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guest
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Callister
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult