Have you ever wondered what it would be like to participate in a medical study examining the effectiveness and safety of a test or treatment being considered to help a certain group of people? I recently interviewed a local senior who joined a study whose underlying purpose is to determine the effects of diet upon cognitive ability. He will remain anonymous, as will the study’s name, due to the confidentiality of the project and the length of the ongoing clinical trial with results still to be determined.
He adds, “Since I am participating using my “normal” (diet) based on portion control, I cannot speak about the other diets utilized for comparison.”
Here then are his direct quotes in answer to my questions:
1. How did you become interested in participating in the diet’s study?
“My wife heard a radio announcement that a three year study was being held at a major local hospital. The qualifications were to have a close blood relative be a confirmed Alzheimer’s victim, and that the participant must be obese. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease for 12 years, and I was obese at 270 lbs.”
2. How often do you have to go into the city for check-ups?
“Initially it was every six months. The following two years have had one time during that period at which body measurements are taken and cognitive tests are given.”
3. What physical tests are given when you see the doctors in charge of the trials?
“Blood work is taken and evaluated.”
4. Are you given their planned daily diets? Are you also allowed to make your own personal selections of food?
“My part of the study was to maintain my “normal” diet, whatever that may be, and to control the dietitian recommended portions based on standardized servings. The only encouragement from the dietitian/nutritionist is that I continue to eat what I have in my life except watch the portions, and to keep a journal or log of what I eat. In the beginning I wrote down everything. Now I use an iPhone app called LoseIt which keeps track of calories and nutrients in my daily consumption.”
5. How long have you been a part of the study? How many people locally are participating? What are their ages and gender?
“My first day in the study was December 4, 2017, just a bit shy of two years (ago). I believe there are about 300 people involved locally, and an equal amount on the East Coast. By observation at the meetings, most participants appear to be middle-aged or older. (There) are equal amounts of women and men.”
6. How were you definitely chosen to become one of the final participants?
“Body and weight measurements confirmed my obesity. Rush University supplied evidence that an autopsy confirmed my mother died from Alzheimer related complications.”
7. How much weight have you lost using your own “Portion Controlled Diet?”
“At this point, I’ve lost 22% of my body weight from the start of the study, and I (now) weigh 210 lbs.”
8. Can you leave participation at any time? Do you plan on making this your future lifelong eating schedule?
“Since this is completely a volunteer participation, I can end my part at anytime. It now has become “second nature” to document on my phone what I eat at every meal and snack. Doing this has made me aware of all I do eat each day, plus the empty calories that are consumed in martinis, beer, and candy. I still have these things, but I’m now more aware of actually what I’m getting, and control how often I have them.”
9. What exactly is the “Portion Control Diet” as explained to you by the officials in charge?
“Since all the administrators and nutrition case managers’ names are followed with these letters: MS, RD, and LDN, their recommendations come from RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances) and their experiences. The LoseIt app, and others like it, offer your daily recommended intake based on your age, height, and weight with designs to maintain or lose weight to a desired level.”
10. What are the positives of this diet?
“Of course, the weight loss and the ability to physically do things I couldn’t do before the study are the biggest positives. Also by documenting my intake during the earlier part of the day, I can better decide what I can eat for the balance of the day. As an example, my daily intake is a bit over 2000 calories to lose one pound in ten days. Based on this and what I’ve eaten today, I have almost 1200 calories remaining to consume. This information allows me (to) better plan the balance of the day.”
11. What are the negatives of this diet?
“Other than the time it takes to log my foods each day, there are no drawbacks. Almost forgot…Lou Malnati’s deep dish sausage pizza…I can no longer eat two pieces since one slice is a shade under 700 calories! Two slices and a beer would be over 2/3’s of my daily calories.”
12. Do you receive compensation for participation in the study?
“Each participant receives a $20 gift card from Walgreen’s for each month of participation.”
