Lipid Responses to Weight Loss

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The Health Promotion Partnership Weight Management Program consists of a 12-week intensive phase (4 hour/week) and a 12 week tapering phase (1/2–1 hour/week) with interventions including diet (20–25%kcal/fat), exercise (15–45minutes/4x/week), and behavior management. Subjects (N=23) completing one 12-week intensive session participated in a study of lipid responses to the program. Subjects were predominantly Caucasian (100%), female (73%), college graduates (77%), with a mean age of 50±8 years and BMI of 33±5. Subjects lost weight (mean=−6.1±3.9kg, t22df =7.4, p<.001), body fat (mean=−2.512.4% fat, t22df =5.0, p<.001), decreased fat intake (mean=−6±10.8% kcal, t21df =2.6, p<.01), saturated fat intake (mean=−5.8±12.2g, t21df =2.2, p<.05) and energy intake (−272±605 kcal, t21df =2.1, p<.05). Although subjects did not improve aerobic capacity, their fitness improved measured by time on treadmill (mean= 102±123 seconds, t22df =3.8, p<.01). Most lipid values changed, total cholesterol (baseline mean=221±50mg/dl, 12-week mean=210±48, t22df, =2.4, p<.05), LDL cholesterol (baseline mean= 145±43mg/dl, 12-week mean= 133±38, t22df =2.7, p<.01), total HDL cholesterol (baseline mean=48.9±14mg/dl, 12-week mean=46.1±11, t22df=2.1, p<.05), HDL2 cholesterol (baseline mean= 19.1±10mg/dl, 12-week mean= 14.5±8, t22df =3.2, p<.01); however, HDL3 cholesterol and triglycerides did not change. In conclusion, the weight management program was associated with favorable improvements in health behaviors as well as changes in serum lipids, however the decrease in HDL, particularly in HDL2, raises concerns about lipid responses to weight loss.