Changes in Dietary Intake After an 8-week Meal-Kit Delivery Program in Adults With an Overweight Condition or Obesity

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to explore changes in dietary intake and body composition in adults living with an overweight condition and obesity who participated in an 8-week meal kit delivery program that included tutorials on nutrition and eating behaviours. Methods Thirty-four healthy adults (aged 18--65 y) classified as either overweight or obese (25 < body mass index [BMI] <40 kg/m2) were randomly (1:1:1) divided into three groups: Control, Nutrition, and Behaviour. At baseline and at 10-weeks, anthropometrics were measured and body composition was analyzed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Participants recorded their food intake for three non-consecutive days at both time points, which was then analyzed for macronutrients, water consumption and fruit and vegetable intakes. Over the 8-weeks, meal-kits were delivered to all participants. Each week, the control (n = 11) received weekly handout of healthy eating and nutrition education, Nutrition (n = 11) had access to online tutorials about healthy eating and nutrition education and the Behaviour group had access to online eating behaviour tutorials. Repeated-measures, mixed model ANOVA were used to compare changes in outcome measures. Results Thirty-four participants completed the food diaries and body composition analysis (mean age 30.8 ± 11.2 y and mean BMI 30.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2). Significant differences were seen in water intake between Nutrition (791.2 ± 273.0 g) and Behaviour (1112.5 ± 197.6 g) (P = 0.03). Body composition and macronutrient intakes did not significantly differ among groups and/or over time. However, total intake of fruits and vegetables after the intervention was significantly different between Behaviour (5.85 ± 2.8 serving) and Nutrition (3.4 ± 1.4 serving) (P = 0.01). Conclusions Meal-kit delivery with the added nutrition education and eating behaviours resulted in positive changes in food intake in adults living with an overweight condition and obesity. Future work should consider longer-term follow-up with larger sample sizes to confirm these findings. Funding Sources R. Howard Webster Foundation