Abstract
Objective: To assess the effects of chronic walnut consumption on body weight and adiposity in elderly individuals. Methods: The Walnuts and Healthy Aging study is a dual-center (Barcelona, Spain and Loma Linda University (LLU)), 2-year randomized parallel trial. This report concerns only the LLU cohort. Healthy elders (mean age 69 year, 67% women) were randomly assigned to walnut (n = 183) or control diets (n = 173). Subjects in the walnut group received packaged walnuts (28–56 g/day), equivalent to ≈15% of daily energy requirements, to incorporate into their habitual diet, while those in the control group abstained from walnuts. Adiposity was measured periodically, and data were adjusted for in-trial changes in self-reported physical activity. Results: After 2 years, body weight significantly decreased (p = 0.031), while body fat significantly increased (p = 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed between the control and walnut groups regarding body weight (−0.6 kg and −0.4 kg, respectively, p = 0.67) or body fat (+0.9% and +1.3%, respectively, p = 0.53). Lean body mass, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio remained essentially unchanged. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the findings of primary analysis. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that walnuts can be incorporated into the daily diet of healthy elders without concern for adverse effects on body weight or body composition.
Highlights
Obesity in older adults continues to be a major public health challenge in the United States (U.S.) and around the world [1,2]
We previously reported a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the control that participants adhered to the intervention
We previously reported a decrease in RBC ALA in the group at one year [22], which we speculated was the result of restricting the use of ALA-rich flax
Summary
Obesity in older adults continues to be a major public health challenge in the United States (U.S.) and around the world [1,2]. More than a third of U.S adults aged 60 years and over are considered as being obese [1,2], a trend that will continue to rise in parallel with the pace of population aging [3]. Over the years, mounting scientific evidence has shown that consuming nuts in moderate amounts is associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease [6]. Nuts have a high total fat content (mostly as mono- and polyunsaturated fat), ranging from 46% in cashews and pistachios to 76% in macadamia nuts, and provide 20–30 kJ per gram [7] They are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytosterols, and polyphenols [8]. Following the approval of a qualified health claim by the Food and
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