LOW LEVELS OF HUNGER at Wellspring Academies

The rapid weight losses observed at Wellspring Academies (formerly Academy of the Sierras) naturally raise questions about the parameters of the diet and the degree to which students found the diet tolerable. Wellspring’s Diet Management program includes controlled foods (entrees; sides; snacks) and uncontrolled low-density foods (salads, fruit, soups). The controlled foods are designed to be very appealing, totaling 1,200 calories per day. Students have access to an unlimited amount of uncontrolled foods (low calorie-density foods), which ensure students are always full and satisfied. Students at Wellspring typically consume less than 20 grams of fat, 70 grams of protein, and more than 30 grams of fiber per day.

At Wellspring, we study students’ tolerance of the diet to ensure satisfaction. As part of the study, students complete written assessments of the nutritional aspects of their diets based on posted nutritional information and the Doctor’s Calorie, Fat, and Carbohydrate Counter (Borushek, 2004). For a recent study, complete diet records over two days from 18 students were obtained. Eight student volunteers were also monitored by staff members who assessed total consumption and analyzed it with standard nutritional software.

Calories and fat assessed via self-report and external report were lower than expected, but almost identical (self = 1,262 kcals, fat = 7.7 g; external = 1,260 kcals, fat = 7.2 g). Protein consumption was in accord with design, but significantly underestimated (self = 49.7 g; external = 73.6 g); fiber was lower than designed, but accurately self-monitored (self =19.6 g vs. external=18.3 g).

Twenty-four students completed ratings of hunger on a 9-point scale at four time periods for two days. The scale was anchored at five points, including: 6.Hungry - I am hungry but I can continue what I am doing; 4. Mildly Hungry - I can ignore my hunger most of the time; 2. Slightly Hungry - I notice my hunger only when I focus my attention on it. In accord with the extant literature, this reduced calorie, very low-fat, and low energy density diet was well tolerated at Wellspring, with hunger ratings for all 33 students (? 18 student records plus 8 monitored?) averaging near the Slightly Hungry level (2.64); 84% of the students averaged less than the Mildly Hungry level (range = .4 - 3.9).