Adding access to online meal plans and monitoring improves success to a structured weight loss program with resistance‐exercise in women

Abstract

51 sedentary women (44.5±10 yr, 44.9±4% body fat, 34.0±6 kg/m2) were randomized to participate in the Curves Complete® weight loss and exercise program for 12‐wks with (CC‐OS) and without (CC‐NS) online support that provided access to meal plans and progress monitoring. Body mass, DEXA body composition, and resting energy expenditure (REE) measurements were obtained at 0, 4, 8, & 12 wks and analyzed by MANOVA. Data are presented as changes from baseline after 4, 8, and 12 wks for the CC‐OS and CC‐NS groups, respectively. Overall MANOVA revealed that both groups experienced improvements in body composition with minimal effects on REE. An overall significant interaction was observed among groups (p=0.02). Participants in the CC‐OS group tended to experience more favorable changes in body mass (CC‐OS − 2.6±1.3, −4.8±2.3, −6.2±3.3; CC‐NS −2.2±1.9, −3.5±3.1, −4.3±4.3 kg, p=0.08) and fat mass (CC‐OS −1.8±1.8, −3.5±2.3, −5.2±2.9; CC‐NS −2.0±2.4, −3.4±2.8, −3.8±4.0 kg, p=0.11), while FFM was preserved to a greater degree in the CC‐NS group (CC‐OS − 0.8±1.6, −1.2±2.1, −0.8±2.5; CC‐NS 0.0±1.5, 0.2±1.6, −0.2±2.0 kg, p=0.05). No significant differences were seen among groups in percent body fat (CC‐OS −0.9±1.8, −1.9±2.4, −3.3±2.3; CC‐NS − 1.5±2.3, −2.5±2.5, −2.7±3.4 %, p=0.21) or REE (CC‐OS −47±144, − 23±176, 0.4±154; CC‐NS −83±174, −65±184, −102±170 kcals/d, p=0.16). Results indicate that adding online access to meal plans and monitoring can promote more favorable changes in body composition while maintaining REE.