Improvements in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Adults in a Randomized Trial of Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention

OBJECTIVE: Weight gain occurs commonly in young adults and increases cardiovascular (CVD) risk. We previously reported that two self-regulation interventions reduced weight gain relative to control. Here we examine whether these interventions also benefit CVD risk factors. METHODS: SNAP (Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention) was a randomized trial in 2 academic settings (N=599; 18–35 years; body mass index 21–30 kg/m(2)) comparing two interventions (Self-Regulation with Small Changes; Self-Regulation with Large Changes) and Control. Small Changes taught participants to make daily small changes (approximately 100 calorie) in intake and activity. Large Changes taught participants to initially lose 5–10 pounds to buffer anticipated weight gains. CVD risk factors were assessed at baseline and 2 years in 471 participants. RESULTS: Although Large Changes was associated with more beneficial changes in glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR than Control, these differences were not significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons or 2-year weight change. Comparison of participants grouped by percent weight change baseline to 2 years showed significant differences for several CVD risk factors, with no interaction with treatment condition. CONCLUSIONS: Magnitude of weight change, rather than specific weight gain prevention interventions, was related to changes in CVD risk factors in young adults.