CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT01208558GETUpdated Jun 20, 2017

Grain Exercise Trial - Whole Grain Versus no Grain With or Without Physiotherapy-promoted Exercise for Waist Loss

A Phase 2/3 interventional study of Diet A and Diet B in Abdominal Obesity, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Type 2, sponsored by Lund University. Completed at 1 site in Sweden. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 90 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2017-06-20.

Sponsored by Lund University · Phase 2/3, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2/3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
105
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 90 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The main purpose of this 2-year lifestyle experiment for waist loss is twofold:

  1. to compare whole grains and no grains as part of a healthy diet,
  2. to determine if an 8-week exercise program, led by physiotherapists, is more efficient than brief counseling and follow-up.

People with abdominal overweight (≥84 cm in women and ≥98 cm in men) and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, (typically hypertension, diabetes type 2 or prior cardiovascular disease) are randomly assigned to receive Diet A or Diet B, with or without a structured exercise program at the department of physiotherapy, or to a control group receiving usual care. Diet A and B both include fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and low-fat dairy products, and differ only in that Diet A recommends exchange of cereal grains for more potatoes, root vegetables, fruit and other carbohydrate-rich foods, while Diet B recommends exchange of regular cereal grains for whole grains. The primary outcome (most important follow-up variable) is change in waist circumference during 2 years. Secondary outcome measures include blood pressure, blood lipids, level of physical activity and, in subjects with diabetes, glycated hemoglobin and fasting blood sugar.

Read the detailed description

This is a randomized controlled trial with 5 parallel groups of approximately equal size. Two hundred subjects with increased waist circumference (≥84 cm in women and ≥98 cm in men) and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor will be included.

Four of the 5 groups will receive dietary advice (A or B) and 2 of them will be allocated to physiotherapy. A fifth control group will only receive usual care in addition to follow-up. Randomization will be performed by use of an internet-based random number generator from the School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College, Dublin (www.random.org). randomly assigned to receive Diet A or Diet B, with or without a structured exercise program at the department of physiotherapy, or to a control group receiving usual care.

In addition to primary (waist loss) and secondary outcome measures as given below, a health questionnaire will be performed at baseline and after 12 and 24 months with questions about general health, self-reported quality of life, medication use, living habits, physical activity, nutrition, tobacco, alcohol, personal motivation and perceived ability to change lifestyle. Furthermore, serum creatinine will be measured at baseline, and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

There are few randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of different lifestyle interventions on physical activity level or weight loss in overweight people at high risk of cardiovascular disease. There is no such study of the possible effect of a structured exercise program with group training led by physiotherapists, with the exception of rehabilitation programs after myocardial infarction. In addition, the possible unique effect of cereal grains on satiety and energy intake has not been addressed in randomized controlled trials. In two earlier studies in glucose intolerance and diabetes type 2, we have applied a dietary model (Paleolithic diet) based on root vegetables, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, partly at the expense of cereal grains (Lindeberg et al., 2007; Jönsson et al., 2009). The results showed a more beneficial effect on waist circumference than from traditional dietary advice. In one of the studies in 29 overweight men with coronary heart disease and impaired glucose tolerance, the decrease of waist circumference was 2.7 cm greater (p=0,03) in the intervention group (-5.6 cm; 95% confidence interval [CI] -7.2;-3.9) than in the control group (-2.9, CI -4.8;-1.1) during 3 months of follow-up (Lindeberg et al., 2007). In the second study, where the same dietary model was applied in cross-over design among 13 subjects with diabetes type 2, waist circumference decreased 4 cm more (p=0,02) during the intervention diet than during the control diet (Jönsson et al., 2009). There is some evidence to suggest that cereal grains may interfere with leptin receptor activity in a way that could hypothetically suppress satiety (Jönsson et al., 2005; Kamikubo et al., 2008).

02

Conditions studied

  • Abdominal Obesity
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Diabetes Type 2
  • Hypertension
  • Overweight

Keywords

  • Blood pressure
  • Cereals
  • Diet Therapy
  • Dietary carbohydrates
  • Dietary fiber
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Food
  • Glucose intolerance
  • Lifestyle
  • Physiotherapy
  • Stroke
  • TIA
  • Waist circumference
  • Weight loss
03

In context

Cardiovascular Diseases

4,904 studies on the registry are indexed under Cardiovascular Diseases; 919 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 105 is close to the median of 100 across 2,738 interventional studies indexed under Cardiovascular Diseases.

Browse Cardiovascular Diseases studies →

Lead sponsor

Lund University is the lead sponsor of 230 studies on the registry; 37 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 90 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • increased waist circumference (≥84 cm in women and ≥98 cm in men)
  • AND at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor: hypertension, diabetes type 2, prior coronary heart disease, prior stroke/TIA, peripheral arterial disease, impaired glucose tolerance, prior gestational diabetes, heredity or smoking

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • dependence on walking aids
  • difficulty to understand Swedish (written or spoken)
  • BMI >40 kg/m2
  • cognitive impairment
  • pronounced hearing loss
  • aphasia
  • continuous treatment with warfarin or prednisolone
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2 / Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Factorial assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
105 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Diet A and physiotherapy

    Behavioral: Diet A Prudent diet without grains. Written advice and 17-20 group sessions. Subjects are advised to avoid cereal grains. Apart from that, the recommendation is to follow Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) for overweight people, i.e. to eat much fruit, vegetables, fish, and to choose low-fat meat, and low-fat dairy products, and to avoid junk food and juice. In order to match carbohydrate intake between the arms, a high intake of potatoes, root vegetables, fruit and other carbohydrate-rich foods is recommended. Behavioral: Physiotherapy Twelve physiotherapy-led, charged, 2-hour sessions of structured group training for increased cardiorespiratory fitness. A pedometer sold at the start. Physical activity on prescription (FaR) at the end.

    Behavioral: Diet A · Behavioral: Physiotherapy

  • Active comparator
    Diet B and physiotherapy

    Behavioral: Diet B Prudent diet with whole grains. Written advice and 17-20 group sessions. An exchange of regular cereal grains for whole grains is recommended. A daily intake of 7-8 portions of whole grain products is recommended, and a list of recommended cereal products (brands, names) is provided. Apart from that, the recommendation is identical to Diet A. Other Name: Whole grains Behavioral: Physiotherapy Twelve physiotherapy-led, charged, 2-hour sessions of structured group training for increased cardiorespiratory fitness. A pedometer sold at the start. Physical activity on prescription (FaR) at the end. Other Name: Exercise

    Behavioral: Diet B · Behavioral: Physiotherapy

  • Active comparator
    Diet A only

    Behavioral: Diet A Prudent diet without grains. Written advice and 17-20 group sessions. Subjects are advised to avoid cereal grains as much as possible. Apart from that, the recommendation is to follow Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) for overweight people (www.slv.se; in Swedish), i.e. to eat much fruit, vegetables, fish, and to choose low-fat meat, and low-fat dairy products, and to avoid candy, ice cream, snacks, cakes, pastries, chocolate, potato chips, beer, soft drinks and juice. In order to match carbohydrate intake between the intervention arms, a high intake of potatoes, root vegetables, fruit and other carbohydrate-rich foods is recommended. Other Name: No grains

    Behavioral: Diet A

  • Active comparator
    Diet B only

    Behavioral: Diet B Prudent diet with whole grains. Written advice and 17-20 group sessions. An exchange of regular cereal grains for whole grains is recommended. A daily intake of 7-8 portions of whole grain products is recommended, and a list of recommended cereal products (brands, names) is provided. Apart from that, the recommendation is identical to Diet A. The goal is that carbohydrate intake, as a proportion of total energy intake, should not differ between the groups. Other Name: Whole grains

    Behavioral: Diet B

  • No intervention
    Control

    Only follow-up. No intervention.

Interventions

  • BehavioralDiet A

    Prudent diet without grains. Written advice and 17-20 group sessions. Subjects are advised to avoid cereal grains as much as possible. Apart from that, the recommendation is to follow Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) for overweight people (www.slv.se), i.e. to eat much fruit, vegetables, fish, and to choose low-fat meat, and low-fat dairy products, and to avoid candy, ice cream, snacks, cakes, pastries, chocolate, potato chips, beer, soft drinks and juice. In order to match carbohydrate intake between the intervention arms, a high intake of potatoes, root vegetables, fruit and other carbohydrate-rich foods is recommended. Guideline: 200-400 g of potatoes, 300-500 g of root crops, 400-600 g of vegetables, 200-300 g of beans, peas and corn, and 600 g of fruit and berries per day.

    Also known as: No grains

  • BehavioralDiet B

    Prudent diet with whole grains. Written advice and 17-20 group sessions. An exchange of regular cereal grains for whole grains is recommended. A daily intake of 7-8 portions of whole grain products is recommended, and a list of recommended cereal products (brands, names) is provided. Apart from that, the recommendation is identical to Diet A: to follow Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) for overweight people (www.slv.se; in Swedish), i.e. to eat much fruit, vegetables, fish, and to choose low-fat meat, and low-fat dairy products, and to avoid candy, ice cream, snacks, cakes, pastries, chocolate, potato chips, beer, soft drinks and juice. The goal is that carbohydrate intake, as a proportion of total energy intake, should not differ between the groups.

    Also known as: Whole grains

  • BehavioralPhysiotherapy

    Twelve physiotherapy-led, charged, 2-hour sessions of structured group training for increased cardiorespiratory fitness. A pedometer sold at the start. Physical activity on prescription (FaR) at the end.

    Also known as: Exercise

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change of waist circumference

    Waist circumference (at elbow level) will be measured at baseline and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

    Time frame: 2 years

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change of systolic and diastolic blood pressure

    At baseline and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, sitting blood pressure will be measured twice at heart level with an automated device.

    Time frame: 2 years

  2. Change of body fat percentage

    At baseline and after 12 and 24 months, total body fat percentage will be assessed by use of a Tanita hand-foot-BIA. Thickness of subcutaneous fat will be assessed by use of a Harpenden skinfold caliper at four sites (biceps, triceps, suprailiac and subscapular).

    Time frame: 2 years

  3. Change of plasma non-HDL cholesterol

    Non-fasting plasma total and HDL cholesterol will be measured at baseline and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. HDL cholesterol will be subtracted from total cholesterol.

    Time frame: 2 years

  4. Change of physical activity level

    A hip-mounted ActiGraph accelerometer will be worn daytime for six days at baseline and after 12 and 24 months for continuous monitoring of physical activity.

    Time frame: 2 years

  5. Change of glycated hemoglobin

    Only in subjects with diabetes

    Time frame: 2 years

  6. Change of fasting blood sugar

    Only in subjects with diabetes

    Time frame: 2 years

  7. Change of quantity and dosage of blood sugar-lowering drugs

    All subjects will be analyzed.

    Time frame: 2 years

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Center for Primary Health Care Research, CRC, Lund University, Sweden
    Lund, Skane, Sweden
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Lindeberg S, Jonsson T, Granfeldt Y, Borgstrand E, Soffman J, Sjostrom K, Ahren B. A Palaeolithic diet improves glucose tolerance more than a Mediterranean-like diet in individuals with ischaemic heart disease. Diabetologia. 2007 Sep;50(9):1795-1807. doi: 10.1007/s00125-007-0716-y. Epub 2007 Jun 22. PubMed 17583796 ↗
  • Jonsson T, Granfeldt Y, Ahren B, Branell UC, Palsson G, Hansson A, Soderstrom M, Lindeberg S. Beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: a randomized cross-over pilot study. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2009 Jul 16;8:35. doi: 10.1186/1475-2840-8-35. PubMed 19604407 ↗
  • Kamikubo Y, Dellas C, Loskutoff DJ, Quigley JP, Ruggeri ZM. Contribution of leptin receptor N-linked glycans to leptin binding. Biochem J. 2008 Mar 15;410(3):595-604. doi: 10.1042/BJ20071137. PubMed 17983356 ↗
  • Jonsson T, Olsson S, Ahren B, Bog-Hansen TC, Dole A, Lindeberg S. Agrarian diet and diseases of affluence--do evolutionary novel dietary lectins cause leptin resistance? BMC Endocr Disord. 2005 Dec 10;5:10. doi: 10.1186/1472-6823-5-10. PubMed 16336696 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 20, 2017, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01208558
Lead sponsor
Lund University
Collaborators
Region Skane
Responsible party
TJonsson (MD, PhD, Lund University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Sep 24, 2010
Start date
Aug 2010
Primary completion
Nov 2014
Completion
Nov 2014
Last update
Jun 20, 2017

Study contacts

Staffan Lindeberg, MD PhD
study chair · Center for Primary Health Care research, CRC, Lund University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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