Women who participate in a structured weight loss program with resistance‐exercise experience more favorable changes in body composition when compared to other popular weight loss programs

Abstract

127 sedentary women (46±12 yr, 45.5±5% body fat, 35.1±5 kg/m2) were randomized to participate in a control group (C) or the Curves Complete® program with online support (CC), Weight Watchers® Points Plus (WW), Jenny Craig® (JC), or Nutrisystem® Advance Select™ (NS) weight loss programs for 12‐wks. Body mass, DEXA body composition, and resting energy expenditure (REE) measurements were obtained at 0, 4, 8, & 12 wks and analyzed by MANOVA. Data are presented as changes from baseline after 12‐wks. Participants in the diet groups lost similar amounts of body mass (C 0.1±3.1; CC −6.1±3.2; WW − 4.3±3.5; JC −5.3±3.8; NS −5.1±4.5 kg, p=0.001). However, participants in the CC group experienced significantly greater loss in fat mass (C −0.0±2.0; CC −5.2±2.8; WW −2.2±2.6; JC −3.5±3.3; NS −2.3±2.5 kg, p=0.001), less loss in FFM (C 0.1±2.3; CC − 0.7±2.5; WW −1.8±2.3; JC −1.8±2.1; NS −2.4±2.2 kg, p=0.002), and greater reductions in percent body fat (C −0.1±1.7; CC − 3.3±2.3; WW −0.6±2.5; JC −1.4±2.4; NS −0.2±1.7%, p=0.001). REE tended to differ among groups (C 39±190; CC 0±154; WW − 108±159; JC −27±206; NS −43±206 kcal/d, p=0.07). Results indicate that participation in the CC program promotes more favorable changes in body composition than other popular weight loss programs.