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Biomedical subjects

A Astrup

Publications and source records attributed to A Astrup.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Long-term effects of leisure time physical activity on risk of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, allowing for body weight history, in Danish men.

AIMS: To determine if the level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in young adulthood in obese and non-obese men reduces the risk of insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in middle age, and if such an effect is explained by the current level of LTPA, or by the body mass index (BMI) history preceding and subsequent to the assessment of LTPA. METHODS: Longitudinal study of groups of obese and randomly selected non-obese men identified at around age 19, and re-examined at mean ages of 32, 44 and 51. BMI was measured at all four examinations. LTPA was assessed by self-administrated questionnaires at the last three examinations. IR and the presence of IGT was determined by an oral glucose tolerance test at the last examination. RESULTS: LTPA in young adulthood reduced the risk of IR and IGT in middle age throughout the range of BMI. Adjustment for the BMI history preceding and subsequent to the assessment of LTPA attenuated the association with IR and IGT, but active men remained at low risk of IR and IGT. Adjustment for subsequent and current levels of LTPA, smoking habits, alcohol intake, educational level and family history of diabetes had no notable influence on the results. CONCLUSION: LTPA appears to reduce the risk of IR and IGT, an effect which is not explained by the current level of physical activity, and only partially explained by the BMI history preceding and subsequent to the assessment of LTPA.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Possible role of adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in mediating the favorable effects of lower body fat mass on blood lipids.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of insulin sensitivity and serum adiponectin concentration as determinants, in middle-aged men, of the relationship between lower body fat and blood lipids after truncal fat has been accounted for. METHODS: Men (443) aged 39-65 yr, body mass index 18-43 kg/m(2), participated in the study. The following variables were measured: regional body fat distribution as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, maximal oxygen uptake, physical activity, fasting levels of serum adiponectin, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein- and total cholesterol. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were measured in the fasting state and after an oral glucose load. RESULTS: Lower body fat mass was inversely associated with serum triglycerides and total cholesterol and positively with serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol after adjustment for age, lean tissue mass, truncal fat mass, weight history, maximal oxygen uptake, and the level of physical activity (P < 0.0005). Serum adiponectin level and Matsudas insulin sensitivity index were positively intercorrelated, and both were positively correlated to lower body fat mass. When including adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in the analyses, the relationships between lower body fat mass and serum lipids were partly explained. CONCLUSION: For a given level of truncal fat mass, a large lower body fat mass is associated with an advantageous blood lipid profile, which may be partially mediated by the relationships to both insulin sensitivity and serum adiponectin level.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2006

Randomized, multi-center trial of two hypo-energetic diets in obese subjects: high- versus low-fat content.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a hypo-energetic low-fat diet is superior to a hypo-energetic high-fat diet for the treatment of obesity. DESIGN: Open-label, 10-week dietary intervention comparing two hypo-energetic (-600 kcal/day) diets with a fat energy percent of 20-25 or 40-45. SUBJECTS: Obese (BMI >or=30 kg/m(2)) adult subjects (n = 771), from eight European centers. MEASUREMENTS: Body weight loss, dropout rates, proportion of subjects who lost more than 10% of initial body weight, blood lipid profile, insulin and glucose. RESULTS: The dietary fat energy percent was 25% in the low-fat group and 40% in the high-fat group (mean difference: 16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 15-17)%). Average weight loss was 6.9 kg in the low-fat group and 6.6 kg in the high-fat group (mean difference: 0.3 (95% CI -0.2 to 0.8) kg). Dropout was 13.6% (n = 53) in the low-fat group and 18.3% (n = 70) in the high-fat group (P=0.001). Among completers, more subjects lost >10% in the low-fat group than in the high-fat group ((20.8%, n = 70) versus (14.7%, n = 46), P = 0.02). Fasting plasma total, low-density lipoprotein- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol decreased in both groups, but more so in the low-fat group than in the high-fat group. Fasting plasma insulin and glucose were lowered equally by both diets. CONCLUSIONS: The low-fat diet produced similar mean weight loss as the high-fat diet, but resulted in more subjects losing >10% of initial body weight and fewer dropouts. Both diets produced favorable changes in fasting blood lipids, insulin and glucose.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Subnormal energy expenditure: a putative causal factor in the weight gain induced by treatment of hyperthyroidism.

AIMS: To examine the causes of weight gain occurring as an adverse effect of treatment of hyperthyroidism. METHODS: We measured 24-h energy expenditure (EE), body composition and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) in eight patients before and 1 year after treatment of hyperthyroidism was initiated, and eight controls. RESULTS: One year after initiation of treatment thyrotropin was normalized, thyroid hormones had fallen to the lower end of the reference range and fat mass had increased by 3.5 kg (p < 0.001). Twenty-four hour EE adjusted for fat-free mass (FFM) was 15% higher in hyperthyroid patients before treatment than in controls (p = 0.003), and treatment decreased 24-h EE by 1.9 MJ/day (p = 0.001). After treatment, 24-h EE, adjusted for FFM, was similar to the controls. Multiple regression analyses showed that the suppressed EE could partly be attributed to an iatrogenic suppression of thyroid hormones, resulting in lower sleeping EE. Twenty-four hour SPA was normal in the hyperthyroid state, but decreased after treatment by 21% (p = 0.045), to a level not significantly different, but still below that of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that weight gain during treatment of hyperthyroidism might be due to subnormal levels of EE and SPA caused by a suppression of the thyroid hormone to a level in the lower end of the normal range.

Body Composition↗
PubMed2006

Food for thought or thought for food?--a stakeholder dialogue around the role of the snacking industry in addressing the obesity epidemic.

The current obesity epidemic is generally considered multi-causal. Certain foods, including snacks such as potato chips, and their marketing are often highlighted as needing particular attention. This forces potato chip producers to take position on their role and responsibility. Based on expert interviews and a literature review, a systems analysis approach is presented that distinguishes between basic physiology, self-control and what we call jam transmitters, signals and pressures from the environment that hinder or frustrate self-control. Examples of the latter are commercial push and seduction, obesogenic cultures, obesogenic physical environment, socioeconomic factors, genes, hormones and instincts. Solution of the epidemic demands an approach that involves all factors and all related actors. As for the snacking industry, the comprehensive responses are: to introduce specific diet products; to improve the nutritional quality of its products; the latter combined with supporting and engaging in healthy lifestyle marketing; to practice responsible targeting of marketing; and to limit the promotion of unhealthy consumption patterns.

Advertising↗
PubMed2005

Weight loss: the treatment of choice for knee osteoarthritis? A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to assess the effect of rapid diet-induced weight loss on the function of obese, knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. METHODS: Eighty patients with knee OA, 89% women (n=71), were recruited. Mean (SD) body-mass index (BMI) was 35.9 (5.1) kg/m(2) and age 62.6 (11.1) years. Patients were randomized to either a low-energy diet (LED 3.4MJ/day), or a control diet (5MJ/day). The LED group had weekly dietary sessions, whereas the control group was given a booklet describing weight loss practices. Changes in body weight and body composition were examined as independent predictors of changes in knee OA symptoms. Symptoms were monitored by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' (WOMAC) OA index. RESULTS: The LED and control group lost a mean (SE) of 11.1 (0.6)% and 4.3 (0.6)%, respectively, with a mean difference being 6.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.5 to 8.1%; P<0.0001). The decrease in body fat percent was higher in the LED group, 2.2% (1.5 to 3.0%; P<0.0001). The total WOMAC index improved in the LED group (P<0.0001), but not in the control group (P=0.12), mean difference: -219.3mm (-369.2 to -69.4mm; P=0.005). The 'Number Needed to Treat (NNT)' to ensure an improvement in WOMAC>/=50% was 3.4 (2.1 to 8.8) patients. Changes in total WOMAC index were best predicted by the reduction of body fat percent, with a 9.4% (4.8 to 13.9%) improvement in WOMAC for each percent of body fat reduced (P=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: In our patients with knee OA, a weight reduction of 10% improved function by 28%. LED might be of advantage to control diet because of the rapidity of weight loss and a more significant loss of body fat.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

Effects of soy supplementation on blood lipids and arterial function in hypercholesterolaemic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Studies on soy supplementation suggest a cardioprotective potential. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects on LDL cholesterol and arterial function as a result of dietary enrichment with soy supplementation. DESIGN: A Randomized, double blind, parallel intervention trial. SETTING: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism C, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark. SUBJECTS: In all, 100 hypercholesterolaemic but otherwise healthy subjects were included in the study of which 89 completed it. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly assigned to 24 weeks of daily intake of either a soy supplement, Abalon (30 g soy protein, 9 g cotyledon fibre and 100 mg isoflavones) or placebo (30 g of casein). The soy supplement and placebo were provided in two sachets daily that were stirred in water. Fasting plasma lipids, TNF-alpha, homocysteine, insulin sensitivity, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), serum insulin, serum glucose, blood pressure as well as Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and plasma lipids to a fat-rich meal were recorded before and after the intervention. In a sub study in 32 subjects, arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were recorded before and after the intervention. RESULTS: In the main study, no difference in fasting plasma lipid levels or insulin sensitivity was found between soy-based supplement and placebo. A significant postprandial increase in GIP to the meal test was observed in the soy group (P < 0.05). In a substudy, no difference between the groups in changes in flow-mediated vasodilatation (P = 0.84) was detected, while the soy supplementation caused a reduction in LDL and total cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: No significant effects on blood lipids were observed in the main study to a soy supplementation in hypercholesterolaemic subjects after 24 weeks. In the substudy, the soy supplementation, however, reduced LDL and total cholesterol but did not influence markers of arterial function.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Effect of short-term high dietary calcium intake on 24-h energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and fecal fat excretion.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have shown an inverse association between dietary calcium intake and body weight, and a causal relation is likely. However, the underlying mechanisms are not understood. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether high and low calcium intakes from mainly low-fat dairy products, in diets high or normal in protein content, have effects on 24-h energy expenditure (EE) and substrate oxidation, fecal energy and fat excretion, and concentrations of substrates and hormones involved in energy metabolism and appetite. DESIGN: In all, 10 subjects participated in a randomized crossover study of three isocaloric 1-week diets with: low calcium and normal protein (LC/NP: 500 mg calcium, 15% of energy (E%) from protein), high calcium and normal protein (HC/NP: 1800 mg calcium, 15E% protein), and high calcium and high protein (HC/HP: 1800 mg calcium, 23E% protein). RESULTS: The calcium intake had no effect on 24-h EE or fat oxidation, but fecal fat excretion increased approximately 2.5-fold during the HC/NP diet compared with the LC/NP and the HC/HP diets (14.2 vs 6.0 and 5.9 g/day; P < 0.05). The HC/NP diet also increased fecal energy excretion as compared with the LC/NP and the HC/HP diets (1045 vs 684 and 668 kJ/day; P < 0.05). There were no effects on blood cholesterol, free fatty acids, triacylglycerol, insulin, leptin, or thyroid hormones. CONCLUSIONS: A short-term increase in dietary calcium intake, together with a normal protein intake, increased fecal fat and energy excretion by approximately 350 kJ/day. This observation may contribute to explain why a high-calcium diet produces weight loss, and it suggests that an interaction with dietary protein level may be important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Lower-body fat mass as an independent marker of insulin sensitivity--the role of adiponectin.

AIMS: To study the association between lower-body fat and estimates of whole-body insulin sensitivity in middle-aged men with and without a history of juvenile onset obesity, and to determine the possible mediating role of fasting serum adiponectin level as an insulin-sensitizing peptide. METHODS: A total of 401 men aged 39-65 y, body mass index 18-54 kg/m2, participated in the study. The following variables were measured on the study participants: regional body fat distribution as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, abdominal sagittal diameter, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), physical activity, fasting and post-glucose load levels of plasma glucose, serum insulin, and blood non-esterified fatty acid plus fasting levels of serum adiponectin and HbA1c. RESULTS: Lower-body fat mass was positively associated with insulin sensitivity as estimated by Matsudas index also after adjusting for age, lean tissue mass, trunkal fat mass, weight changes since draft board examination, VO2max and the level of physical activity. In a subgroup of men selected for a large lower-body fat mass, fasting serum insulin concentration was 24% lower (P<0.01) and fasting serum adiponectin 33% higher (P<0.005) compared to a subgroup of men with a small lower-body fat mass but with similar trunkal fat mass. CONCLUSION: Lower-body fat mass is positively associated with an estimate of insulin sensitivity independently of trunkal fat mass in both lean and obese middle-aged men and this effect could partly be statistically explained by variations in serum adiponectin levels.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2005

The appetite-suppressant effect of nicotine is enhanced by caffeine.

AIM: To test whether the anorectic effect of nicotine may be amplified by caffeine. METHODS: Chewing gums with nicotine and caffeine were administered to 12 healthy young men of normal weight. Different combinations of 0, 1 or 2 mg of nicotine and 0, 50 or 100 mg of caffeine were applied during a 2-h period in a randomized, double blind, cross over design. Appetite sensations were measured using visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Hunger and prospective food consumption were negatively associated with the increasing doses of nicotine, whereas satiety and fullness were positively associated with the increasing doses of nicotine (p < 0.05). Caffeine appeared to amplify the effects of nicotine on hunger and fullness as a caffeine x nicotine x time interaction was observed in these scores (p < 0.05). The 2-mg dose of nicotine in combination with the 100-mg dose of caffeine caused nausea in four of the non-smokers. However, the effects of nicotine and the caffeine x nicotine x time interaction persisted after the exclusion of these subjects. CONCLUSION: Caffeine added to nicotine chewing gum appears to amplify its attenuating effects on appetite and the combinations of 1-mg of nicotine with caffeine seem to be well tolerated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The effect of diets high in protein or carbohydrate on inflammatory markers in overweight subjects.

AIM: Increased levels of inflammatory markers have been associated with weight gain and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of diets high in either carbohydrate or protein on the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin and transferrin in plasma after weight loss. METHODS: Fifty overweight subjects [age: 18-56 years, body mass index (BMI): 27-34] were randomly assigned to an ad libitum, fat-reduced diet (30% of energy, E%), either high in protein and low in carbohydrate (25 E and 45 E% respectively) or high in carbohydrate and low in protein (58 E and 12 E% respectively), during 6 months of strictly controlled dietary intervention with dietary counselling. RESULTS: An average reduction of 25% in CRP and an average increase of 20% in haptoglobin and transferrin were seen in both groups, however, these changes were not significant. In cross-sectional analyses after the intervention CRP was associated with fat mass (r = 0.323, p = 0.03), and the changes in CRP were associated with various indices of body fatness (Deltabody weight r = 0.346, p = 0.02). Changes in body fatness were positively associated with Deltatransferrin (r = 0.344, p = 0.02) and nearly significantly associated with Deltahaptoglobin (r = 0.271, p = 0.07) after 6 months. Multiple regression analysis showed no associations between dietary protein and carbohydrate content and serum CRP, haptoglobin or transferrin concentrations, and this remained unaltered after adjustment for weight change. CONCLUSION: Dietary carbohydrate/protein ratio has no effect on inflammatory markers, but the study confirmed that body fatness is positively associated with levels of serum CRP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Long-term influences of body-weight changes, independent of the attained weight, on risk of impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To investigate if weight gain during adulthood has effects on the risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or Type 2 diabetes beyond effect of attained weight. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of two cohorts: one of juvenile-onset obese (n = 248) and one of randomly selected control (n = 320) men, weighed at average ages of 20, 33, 44 and 51 years, respectively. RESULTS: For any given BMI, the risk of IGT was higher the greater the weight gain since age 20 (odds ratio of 1.10 per unit kg/m2 of BMI gain, confidence interval 1.03-1.17, P = 0.004), and weight gain during both the early and later ages contributed to the increased risk. Obese men, maintaining weight since age 20, had lower risk of IGT than non-obese men who became similarly obese by age 51. The risk of Type 2 diabetes increased by weight gain in early adult life, but not by more recent weight gain in the later periods, probably because of the development of Type 2 diabetes leading to weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Independent of attained level of body weight in middle-aged men, weight gain is associated with increased risk of IGT, and is greater in those not overweight in childhood.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Adipose tissue gene expression in obese subjects during low-fat and high-fat hypocaloric diets.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Adaptation to energy restriction is associated with changes in gene expression in adipose tissue. However, it is unknown to what extent these changes are dependent on the energy restriction as such or on the macronutrient composition of the diet. METHODS: We determined the levels of transcripts for 38 genes that are expressed in adipose tissue and encode transcription factors, enzymes, transporters and receptors known to play critical roles in the regulation of adipogenesis, mitochondrial respiration, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Two groups of 25 obese subjects following 10-week hypocaloric diet programmes with either 20-25 or 40-45% of total energy derived from fat were investigated. Levels of mRNA were measured by performing real-time RT-PCR on subcutaneous fat samples obtained from the subjects before and after the diets. RESULTS: The two groups of subjects lost 7 kg over the duration of the diets. Ten genes were regulated by energy restriction; however, none of the genes showed a significantly different response to the diets. Levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1alpha mRNA were increased, while the expression of the genes encoding leptin, osteonectin, phosphodiesterase 3B, hormone-sensitive lipase, receptor A for natriuretic peptide, fatty acid translocase, lipoprotein lipase, uncoupling protein 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma was decreased. Clustering analysis revealed new potential coregulation of genes. For example, the expression of the genes encoding the adiponectin receptors may be regulated by liver X receptor alpha. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In accordance with the comparable loss of fat mass produced by the two diets, this study shows that energy restriction and/or weight loss rather than the ratio of fat: carbohydrate in a low-energy diet is of importance in modifying the expression of genes in the human adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Micronutrient intake in overweight subjects is not deficient on an ad libitum fat-reduced, high-simple carbohydrate diet.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether subjects consuming a fat-reduced, high-simple carbohydrate diet (SCHO) are at greater risk of micronutrient inadequacy than subjects consuming a fat-reduced, high-complex carbohydrate (CCHO) or a normal-fat diet (control, CD). DESIGN: A 6-month randomised controlled dietary intervention trial with a parallel design. METHODS: In total, 46 overweight (BMI: 24.4-36.3 kg/m(2)) subjects (19 males, 27 females) aged 21-54 y consumed one of three ad libitum diets: SCHO, CCHO, or CD. Nutrient intake was assessed by a 7-day weighed food record. RESULTS: Self-reported energy intake did not differ between diet groups. The lowest intake of vitamin B(12) was found in the SCHO group vs CCHO (P=0.025) and vs. CD (P=0.012). In men, zinc intake was lower on the SCHO diet compared to the CD diet (P=0.018). The recommendations for zinc and vitamin B(12) were, however, met by all the diet groups. No other diet differences were observed. Intake of several micronutrients were insufficient in all three diet groups, although in most cases comparable to average Danish intakes. CONCLUSION: Zinc intake in men and vitamin B(12) intake in the combined gender groups were lower on a fat-reduced, simple carbohydrate-rich diet compared to a habitual, normal-fat diet, but not below recommended levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of trans- and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy males. An 8 weeks dietary intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Studies of long-term intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) suggest opposite effects on cardiovascular disease risk. Common mechanisms of action are probable. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects on cardiovascular risk markers of dietary enrichment with TFA or n-3 PUFA. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, parallel intervention trial. SETTING: Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. SUBJECTS: In all, 87 healthy males included, 79 completed. INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of a daily intake of 33 g of experimental fats from either partially hydrogenated soy oil containing 20 g of TFA, 12 g of fish oil with approximately 4 g of n-3 PUFA and 21 g of control fat, or 33 g of control fat. The experimental fats were incorporated into bakery products. Plasma lipids, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were recorded before and after intervention and at follow-up 12 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in the TFA group and triglycerides and mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the n-3 PUFA group compared to the control group. HRV, arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were unchanged. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the association between coronary heart disease risk and intake of TFA and n-3 PUFA relates only modestly to changes in traditional risk markers. SPONSORSHIP: Danish Medical Research Council (Grant no. 22-01-0390), Center of Advanced Food Research (Copenhagen, Denmark) (Grant no. KVL-R-2001-107), the Danish Heart Association (Grant no. 99-2-3-45-22748), Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark), Aarhus Olie (Aarhus, Denmark), and from private sources. The experimental fats were provided by Pronova Biocare (Aalesund, Norway) and Aarhus Olie (Aarhus, Denmark).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The effect of a rapid weight loss on lipid profile and glycemic control in obese type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of low calorie diet (LCD) on body weight, lipid profile, and glycemic control in obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. DESIGN: Dietary intervention. SETTING: Department of Human Nutrition, Copenhagen. SUBJECTS: Outpatients: 11 type 2 DM patients (three males/eight females) (10 completed), four on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA). Body mass index (BMI) 36.8 +/- 5.5 kg/m2 and age 62 +/- 5.7 y. INTERVENTIONS: In all, 8 weeks full meal-replacement diet: eight sachets of a nutrition powder (Nutrilett, 850 kcal/day). Lipid profile assessed by NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: Mean body weight fell by 10.9 kg (approximately 11%, P<0.001). Fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol fell significantly. There were large positive changes (statistically insignificant) in LDL subclass distribution and a similar shift in high-density lipoprotein subclass distribution. Medication was discontinued in all four subjects taking OHA for 2 weeks prior to the intervention and throughout the whole 8-week intervention period. CONCLUSION: LCD is effective in improving glycemic control and blood lipids through weight loss in overweight type 2 DM patients.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed2004

Effect of normal-fat diets, either medium or high in protein, on body weight in overweight subjects: a randomised 1-year trial.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that a fat-reduced high-protein diet had more favourable effects on body weight loss over 6 months than a medium-protein diet. OBJECTIVE: To extend this observation by a further 6-12 months less stringent intervention and a 24 months follow-up. DESIGN: A randomised 6 months strictly controlled dietary intervention followed by 6-12 months dietary counselling period, and a subsequent 24 months follow-up, comparing an ad libitum, fat-reduced diet (30% of energy) either high in protein (25% of energy, HP) or medium in protein (12% of energy, MP). SUBJECTS: A total of 50 overweight and obese subjects (age: 19-55 y; BMI: 26-34 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: Change in body weight, body composition and blood parameters. RESULTS: After 6 months, the HP group (n=23) achieved a greater weight loss than the MP group (n=23) (9.4 vs 5.9 kg) (P<0.01). After 12 months, 8% had dropped out in the HP vs 28% in the MP group (P<0.07). After 12 months, the weight loss was not significantly greater among the subjects in the HP group (6.2 and 4.3 kg), but they had a 10% greater reduction in intra-abdominal adipose tissue and more in the HP group (17%) lost >10 kg than in the MP (P<0.09). At 24 months, both groups tended to maintain their 12 months weight loss, but more than 50% were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: A fat-reduced diet high in protein seems to enhance weight loss and provide a better long-term maintenance of reduced intra-abdominal fat stores.

Adolescent↗