Evaluation of Alternative Exercise Treatments on Weight Loss in Overweight Women

Abstract

0527 Physical activity is an important component of behavioral weight loss programs as it enhances initial weight loss and improves maintenance of weight loss long-term. However, it is unclear if alternative exercises such as resistance exercise or yoga would improve weight loss outcomes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of these alternative exercise treatments in addition to aerobic exercise on weight loss in sedentary, overweight women. METHODS: Fifty nine sedentary women (BMI = 30.7+/−2.7 kg/m2, age = 44.9+/−6.7 years) were randomized to complete the initial 16 weeks of a behavioral weight loss program. All subjects reduced energy intake to 1200–1500 kcal/day and dietary fat to < 30% of total calories. In addition, subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following exercise conditions: 1) AERO: aerobic exercise (40 min/day, 5 days per wk) 2) RES: aerobic exercise + resistance exercise using a home exercise machine (40 min/day, 5 days per wk aerobic + 3 days of resistance exercise) or 3) YOGA: aerobic exercise + yoga exercise (40 min/day, 5 days per wk aerobic + 3 days of yoga). RESULTS: Intent to treat analysis revealed weight loss following 16 weeks of treatment of 6.9% (5.6+/−4.2 kg), 9.6% (7.9+/−4.5 kg), and 11.0% (9.1+/−7.6 kg) for AERO, RES, and YOGA, respectively (p = 0.06). Using the 53 individuals who completed the initial 16 weeks of treatment, weight loss was 8.9% (7.2+/−3.3 kg), 10.1% (8.3+/−4.3 kg), and 11.6% (9.6+/−3.6 kg) for AERO, RES, and YOGA, respectively (p > 0.05). Chi square analysis of attrition rates indicated no significant difference between groups (AERO = 4, RES = 1, YOGA = 1, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These short-term 16 week data suggest that adding alternative exercise treatments such as resistance exercise and yoga to aerobic exercise do not appear to improve weight loss outcomes when compared with aerobic exercise alone. Subjects are being followed to determine the 6 and 12 month impact of these alternative exercise modalities. Supported by the National Institutes of Health (HL64991)