Abstract
BackgroundGiven the rise in obesity and associated chronic diseases, it is critical to determine optimal weight management approaches that will also improve dietary composition and chronic disease risk factors. Few studies have examined all these weight, diet, and disease risk variables in subjects participating in recommended multi-disciplinary weight loss programs using different dietary strategies.MethodsThis study compared effects of three dietary approaches to weight loss on body composition, dietary composition and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). In a 12-week trial, sedentary but otherwise healthy overweight and obese adults (19 M & 138 F; 38.7 ± 6.7 y; BMI 31.8 ± 2.2) who were attending weekly group sessions for weight loss followed either portion control, low energy density, or low glycemic index diet plans. At baseline and 12 weeks, measures included anthropometrics, body composition, 3-day food diaries, blood pressure, total lipid profile, HOMA, C-reactive protein, and fasting blood glucose and insulin. Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.ResultsAll groups significantly reduced body weight and showed significant improvements in body composition (p < 0.001), and components of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.027 to 0.002), although HDL decreased (p < 0.001). Dietary energy, %fat and %saturated fat decreased while protein intake increased significantly (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences among the three groups in any variable related to body composition, dietary composition, or MetS components.ConclusionDifferent dietary approaches based on portion control, low energy density, or low glycemic index produced similar, significant short-term improvements in body composition, diet compositin, and MetS components in overweight and obese adults undergoing weekly weight loss meetings. This may allow for flexibility in options for dietary counseling based on patient preference.
Highlights
Given the rise in obesity and associated chronic diseases, it is critical to determine optimal weight management approaches that will improve dietary composition and chronic disease risk factors
Overweight and obesity are global public health issues [1], with serious co-morbidities such as the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors associated with insulin resistance and heightened cardiovascular and diabetes risk [2]
Study design A prospective, 12-week clinical intervention was implemented comparing subjects randomized to low energy density (LED) or low glycemic index (LGI) diet plans, and a similar group of subjects who had enrolled in the program’s portion-controlled (PC) plan
Summary
Given the rise in obesity and associated chronic diseases, it is critical to determine optimal weight management approaches that will improve dietary composition and chronic disease risk factors. Overweight and obesity are global public health issues [1], with serious co-morbidities such as the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors associated with insulin resistance and heightened cardiovascular and diabetes risk [2]. While negative energy balance is essential for weight loss, the specifics of optimal nutritional approaches to improve body composition and reduce metabolic risks while maintaining dietary quality are still debated [8,9,10]. Portion control has been advocated to reduce energy intake and manage body weight [11]
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