Psychological well-being response to high protein and high carbohydrate weight loss diets in overweight and obese men: A randomised trial

Abstract

Summary Background & aims High protein, low fat (HP) diets have established efficacy for weight management, but their effects on psychological well-being, particularly in men have not been well studied. This study compared an energy controlled HP diet with a high carbohydrate, low fat (HC) diet on psychological well-being after 1 year. Methods 117 obese men (mean ± SD, age 49.6 ± 9.2 years; BMI 31.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2) were randomised to consumption of either an energy restricted (∼7 MJ/day), HP diet (n = 57; 35% of total energy as protein, 40% carbohydrate, 25% fat) or an isocaloric, HC diet (n = 61; 17% protein, 58% carbohydrate, 25% fat) for 52 weeks. Body weight and psychological well-being was measured with Profile of Mood States (POMS), Bachman's Self Esteem scale and the SF-36 instruments at baseline (week 0), week 12 and week 52. Results Weight loss was (mean ± SEM) 8.9 ± 0.4 kg (8.6%) at Week 12 and 10.5 ± 0.8 kg (10.5%) at Week 52 (p Conclusions In overweight and obese men, weight loss on hypocaloric HP and HC diets were both effective in improving mood and general psychological well-being over one year. Registered under anzctr.org.au Identifier no. ACTRN 12606000002583.