The Influence of Calcium Consumption on Weight and Fat Following 9 Months of Exercise in Men and Women

Abstract

Background: There is some evidence that calcium consumption improves weight loss during energy restriction but the effects of calcium consumption in conjunction with chronic exercise are unknown.Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the degree to which calcium consumption influences weight and fat weight change as a result of 9 months of verified supervised exercise in the absence of energy restriction.Methods: Participants were 50 previously sedentary, overweight and moderately obese men (n=20) and women (n=30). Exercise of moderate intensity was performed for 45 min/d, 5 d/wk, under supervision. Diet intake was ad libitum and was measured for energy, macronutrient and micronutrient composition at baseline, 4 and 9 months by use of observer recorded weighed plate waste and multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall procedures.Results: Average calcium consumption was 987 ± 389 mg/day for men and 786 ± 276 mg/day for women. Weight change over the 9 months was −4.6 ± 4.6 kg for men and 0.2 ± 3.3 kg for women. Calcium consumption was associated with weight change (r =−0.47, p<0.05) in men. The calcium to protein ratio was associated with weight change (r=0.56) and fat weight change (r=−0.53) in men. There was no observed association between calcium and weight or fat weight change in women.Conclusion: Weight and fat weight loss as a result of nine months of moderate intensity exercise may be improved by increased calcium consumption in men but was not observed in women.