Effects of high carbohydrate and high protein diets on markers of metabolic syndrome (MS) in women participating in the Curves® fitness program

Abstract

223 sedentary women (49±10 yrs, 163±7 cm; 95±17 kg; 45±4% body fat) with at least 3 NCEP‐ATP III criteria for MS were assigned to a normal diet (ND) group or a high carbohydrate (HC) or high protein (HP) diet group while participating in the Curves circuit‐training fitness program 3‐d/wk. Diets were 1,200 kcal/d for 1‐wk and 1,600 kcal/d for 9‐wks and contained 30% fat with either 55% CHO in the HC group and 50–63% P in the HP group. Data were analyzed by MANOVA with repeated measures and are presented as means ± SD changes from baseline. Subjects dieting lost more body mass (ND −0.5±2.2; HC −3.8±3.5; HP −4.3±3.7 %, p=0.001) and DXA fat mass (ND −3.2±4.1; HC −7.0±6.6; HP −6.9±6.3 %, p=0.001). TG decreased to a greater degree in the HP group (ND 6.0±38; HC −4.6±30; HP −12.8±29 %, p=0.005). Although significant time effects were observed, no differences were seen among groups in changes in waist circumference (ND −0.8±4.4; HC −2.1±9.1; HP −3.0±7.8 %, p=0.32), glucose (ND −2.6±15; HC −3.2±15; HP −2.9±14 %, p=0.98), total CHL (ND −4.4±19; HC −4.9±21; HP −5.8±17 %, p=0.91), HDL (ND −0.2±18; HC −3.4±18; HP −0.2±19 %, p=0.43), SBP (ND −2.0±14; HC −4.3±12; HP −4.3±13 %, p=0.57), or DBP (ND −2.3±13; HC −4.9±13; HP −3.3±14 %, p=0.52). Results indicate that exercise and dieting can positively affect clinical markers of MS in individuals with MS and that adherence to a HP diet may promote more favorable changes in TG levels.