A 12-week, randomised, controlled trial to examine the acceptability of the Korean diet and its effectiveness on weight and metabolic parameters in an Australian overweight and obese population

Effect of a balanced Korean diet on metabolic risk factors among overweight/obese Korean adults: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study was to see the effects of a balanced Korean diet (BKD) on metabolic risk factors in overweight or obese Korean adults, comparing with those of a typical American diet (TAD) and a diet recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010DGA).

METHODS

The study was designed as a randomized crossover controlled trial, in which 61 overweight or obese volunteers were divided into six groups and each consumed the BKD, 2010DGA, and TAD in a random order for 4 weeks separated by 2-week washout intervals. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, blood lipid content, fasting blood glucose, and blood insulin level were measured at the beginning and end of each diet period.

RESULTS

A total of 54 participants completed the trial. The BKD caused more significant reductions of body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), body fat percent (p < 0.001), blood total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p = 0.007) compared with the 2010DGA or TAD (all p values for differences between diets < 0.05). All three diets significantly lowered blood triglyceride levels (p < 0.05). The BKD decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p = 0.001) and increased fasting blood glucose (p = 0.018), whereas TAD and 2010DGA increased HDL cholesterol and did not affect blood glucose levels. Furthermore, the BKD significantly decreased the proportion of individuals with elevated total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (p < 0.01), whereas the 2010DGA significantly reduced the number of obese individuals (p < 0.05), and the TAD decreased the number of participants with elevated triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), but increased that of those with elevated LDL cholesterol (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The Korean diet based on dietary guidelines improved metabolic risk factors such as BMI, body fat percent, and blood lipid profiles in overweight or obese Korean adults. These results provide evidence to recommend the Korean diet for preventing various metabolic diseases.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) in Korea, the primary registry of the World Health Organization (WHO) international clinical trial registry platform, under number KCT0002437.

Impact of aerobic versus resisted exercise training on systemic inflammation biomarkers and quality of Life among obese post-menopausal women

Background

Although post-menopausal obesity is an important public national health problem in Saudi Arabia, to date no study has evaluated the effects of weight reduction on biochemical & clinical parameters and quality of Life for obese Saudi post-menopausal women.

Objective

The aim of this study was examine the effects of aerobic versus resisted exercise training effects upon systemic inflammation biomarkers and quality of life for obese post-menopausal Saudi women.

Material and Methods

One hundred Saudi post-menopausal obese women participated in this study, their age ranged from 50–58 years and their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 30–35 kg/m2. All participants were divided into two equal groups: The first group received aerobic exercise training on treadmill where, the second group received resisted exercise training. Health-related quality of life (SF-36 HRQL), tumor necrosis factor- alpha(TNF-α), Interleukin-2(IL-2), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after 3 months at the end of the study.

Results

The mean values of SF-36 HRQL subscale scores were significantly increased, while the mean value of TNF-α, Il-2, IL-4, IL-6, CRP and BMI were significantly decreased in both groups after treatments. There were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters in group (A) and group (B) after treatment with more changes in patients received aerobic exercise training.

Conclusion

The current study provides evidence that aerobic exercise is more appropriate than resisted exercise training in modulating inflammatory cytokines and quality of life among obese post-menopausal women.

Effect of a high-egg diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes and Egg (DIABEGG) Study-randomized weight-loss and follow-up phase

Background

Some country guidelines recommend that people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) limit their consumption of eggs and cholesterol. Our previously published 3-mo weight-maintenance study showed that a high-egg (≥12 eggs/wk) diet compared with a low-egg diet (<2 eggs/wk) did not have adverse effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with T2D.

Objective

The current study follows the previously published 3-mo weight-maintenance study and assessed the effects of the high-egg compared with the low-egg diets as part of a 3-mo weight-loss period, followed by a 6-mo follow-up period for a total duration of 12 mo.

Design

Participants with prediabetes or T2D (n = 128) were prescribed a 3-mo daily energy restriction of 2.1 MJ and a macronutrient-matched diet and instructed on specific types and quantities of foods to be consumed, with an emphasis on replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Participants were followed up at the 9- and 12-mo visits.

Results

From 3 to 12 mo, the weight loss was similar (high-egg compared with low-egg diets: -3.1 ± 6.3 compared with -3.1 ± 5.2 kg; P = 0.48). There were no differences between groups in glycemia (plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, 1,5-anhydroglucitol), traditional serum lipids, markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, soluble E-selectin), oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes), or adiponectin from 3 to 12 mo or from 0 to 12 mo.

Conclusions

People with prediabetes or T2D who consumed a 3-mo high-egg weight-loss diet with a 6-mo follow-up exhibited no adverse changes in cardiometabolic markers compared with those who consumed a low-egg weight-loss diet. A healthy diet based on population guidelines and including more eggs than currently recommended by some countries may be safely consumed. This trial is registered at http://www.anzctr.org.au/ as ACTRN12612001266853.

Examining the association between depression and obesity during a weight management programme

The prevalence of depression in those with obesity is reported to be as high as double that in individuals of normal weight. There is potentially a bi-directional relationship between obesity and depression. Some research has suggested that depression results in weight gain and obesity, and other studies have suggested that those with obesity are more likely to develop depression at a later stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of depression symptoms with weight change over a 12-month study. Seventy participants undertook a 3-month lifestyle (diet and exercise) weight loss intervention, and were followed up as part of a 12-month study. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and had their body weight measured throughout the study. Baseline body mass index (BMI) of participants (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) was 31.1 ± 3.9 kg m^-2 , body weight was 89.4 ± 16.1 kg, and age was 45.4 ± 11.1 years; 63% of the cohort were female. The mean weight change from baseline to 3 months was -5.2% (±SD 4.3%), and from baseline to 12 months was -4.2% (±SD 6.1%). There was a significant decrease in BDI-II scores over the 12-month study, and a 1-unit decrease in BDI-II score was associated with a further decrease in body weight of -0.4%. The current study indicated that weight loss was associated with improvements in mood for non-clinically depressed individuals with obesity, and these improvements persisted during a period of 3-12 months of follow-up.

Weight loss improves biomarkers endothelial function and systemic inflammation in obese postmenopausal Saudi women

BACKGROUND

Although postmenopausal associated disorders are important public health problems worldwide, to date limited studies evaluated the endothelial function and systemic inflammation response to weight loss in obese postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

This study was done to evaluate the endothelial function and systemic inflammation response to weight loss in obese postmenopausal Saudi women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighty postmenopausal obese Saudi women (mean age 52.64±6.13 year) participated in two groups: Group (A) received aerobic exercise on treadmill and diet whereas, group (B) received no intervention. Markers of inflammation and endothelial function were measured before and after 3 months at the end of the study.

RESULTS

The values of body mass index(BMI), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1:Ac) were significantly decreased in group (A), while changes were not significant in group (B). Also, there were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters in group (A) and group (B) after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Weight loss ameliorates inflammatory cytokines and markers of endothelial function in obese postmenopausal Saudi women.

A randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of a high carbohydrate and high protein ready-to-eat food product for weight loss

Incorporating meal replacements has been shown to produce a significantly greater weight loss than a conventional reduced calorie diet. Ready-to-eat conventional foods may also be effective in this role and provide additional benefit because of their palatability, acceptance and enjoyment and thus increase dietary compliance. This trial investigated the efficacy of a ready-to-eat food product (Vita-Weat biscuit) that is both high in carbohydrate and high in protein as part of a diet prescription for weight loss in an overweight and obese population group. A total of 76 participants were randomized to a 6-week weight loss intervention including the ready-to-eat food product (intervention group) or advice on the 'Australian Guide to Healthy Eating' (control group). Both groups lost approximately 2 kg weight which equated to a reduction in body mass index of 0.70 kg m(-2) . There was no significant difference in percentage weight loss from screening to 6 weeks between the two groups; mean difference for the intervention vs.

CONTROL GROUP

-0.20% (95% confidence interval: -0.96, 1.36); P = 0.73. Both diets were nutritionally matched and well-accepted over the 6-week period. This study shows that the inclusion of a ready-to-eat food product can be included as part of a dietary programme to achieve a clinically significant weight loss over a short period. This may have benefit when incorporated into an individual's meal plan intermittently to assist weight control. It also provides support for current public health nutritional guidelines as the participants in this study following such advice were also successful in achieving a clinically meaningful weight loss.