Comparative effectiveness of popular diet programs on changes in body composition and visceral adipose tissue in women (LB297)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if different types of exercise and diet interventions promote greater changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). 127 sedentary women (46±12 yr, 45.5±5% body fat, 35.1±5 kg/m2) were randomized to participate in a control group (C) or the Curves Complete® program with online support (CC), Weight Watchers® Points Plus (WW), Jenny Craig® (JC), or Nutrisystem® Advance Select™ (NS) weight loss programs for 12‐wks. DEXA body composition with VAT determination was obtained at 0 & 12 wks. MANOVA revealed significant (p=<0.001) time and group x time (p=<0.001) effects. Participants in the CC group experienced greater loss in fat mass (C ‐0.0±2.1; CC ‐4.6±3.7; WW ‐2.2±2.7; JC ‐3.5±3.3; NS ‐2.1±2.7 kg, p<0.001), less loss in FFM (C 0.2±2.3; CC ‐0.3±2.7; WW ‐1.7±2.4; JC ‐1.8±2.3; NS ‐1.8±2.4 kg, p=0.01), and greater reductions in percent body fat (C ‐0.0±1.7; CC ‐3.1±2.5; WW ‐0.7±2.6; JC ‐1.4±2.5; NS ‐0.5±1.7 %, p<<0.001). VAT mass, volume and area decreased over time (p=0.004) with no significant differences among groups. Changes in VAT mass significantly correlated with changes in fat mas (r=0.20) and body fat (r=0.22). Results indicate that different types of diets can differentially affect changes in body composition but promote proportional changes in VAT.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Curves International (Waco, TX)