Six Weeks of Calorie Restriction Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Obese and Overweight Former Athletes

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the impact of 6 weeks of reducing daily caloric intake by 20% of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)-CRI vs. reducing daily caloric intake by 30% of TDEE-CRII on body mass reduction and insulin metabolism in former athletes. Methods: 94 males aged 35.7 ± 5.3 years, height 180.5 ± 4.1 cm, and body mass 96.82 ± 6.2 kg were randomly assigned to the CRI (n = 49) or CRII (n = 45) group. Thirty-one participants (18 subjects from CRI and 13 from CRII) resigned from the study. The effects of both diets on the body composition variables (body mass—BM; body fat—BF; fat free mass—FFM; muscle mass—MM; total body water—TBW), lipid profile (total lipids—TL; total cholesterol—TCh; HDL cholesterol—HDL; LDL cholesterol—LDL; triglycerides—TG), and glucose control variables (glucose—GL, insulin—I, HOMA-IR, insulin-like growth factor-1—IGF-1, leptin and adiponectin) were measured. Results: After adhering to the CR I diet, significant differences were observed in FFM, MM and TG. After adhering to the CR II diet, significant differences were registered in tCh, TL and LDL. Both diets had a significant influence on leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Significant differences in FFM, MM, and tCh were observed between the CR I and CR II groups. At the end of the dietary intervention, significant differences in BF, FFM, MM and TBW were observed between the CR I and CR II groups. Conclusion: The 6 weeks of CR II diet appeared to be more effective in reducing BF and lipid profile and proved to be especially suitable for subjects with high body fat content and an elevated level of lipoproteins and cholesterol. Both reductive diets were effective in improving the levels of leptin and adiponectin in obese former athletes.

Analysis of the Influence of Age, BMI, and WHtR on Body Mass Acceptance, Attitudes, and Motivation towards Body Mass Reduction in Overweight and Obese Caucasian Women

The emotional consequences of excessive body mass, associated with body image and acceptance, have become a global public health challenge as they may decrease the general well-being and hinder weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) on body mass acceptance, attitudes, and motivation toward body mass reduction in overweight and obese Caucasian women with excessive abdominal fat. The previously validated BodyMass–DRama (Body Mass–Dietary Restrictions: Acceptance, Motivation, Attitudes) questionnaire was applied in this study. The declared acceptance, attitudes and motivation towards body mass reduction were compared between subgroups based on age (20–40, 40–50, and 50–60 years), BMI (25.0–30.0, 30.0–35.0, and ≥35.0 kg/m²), and quartiles of WHtR. The age, BMI and WHtR were stated to be associated with declared acceptance, attitudes, and motivation towards body mass reduction. The different age groups indicated the following as the reasons for excessive body mass: young respondents—low physical activity and consumption of sweets; middle-aged ones—large/irregular meals; aging ones—large/irregular meals and low physical activity (p = 0.0161). While describing motivation toward body mass reduction, young respondents indicated the role of a physician or dietitian (p = 0.0012) or someone who can control them (p = 0.0044), as well as their expectation to be more successful at work after body mass reduction (p = 0.0045), while the aging ones indicated appreciation and plaudits from others (p = 0.0264) as a motivating factor. Respondents with the highest BMI declared having spending free time actively constricted (p = 0.0007); they declared more often than others of feeling exhausted (p = 0.0395) or tired all the time (p = 0.0445), but less often of feeling full of joy (p = 0.0457) or full of energy (p <0.0001). Respondents with moderate WHtR declared less often than others that they expect to enjoy socializing (p = 0.0376), but more often to be able to have a better vacation after body mass reduction (p = 0.0128), while those with the lowest WHtR expected to be more physically active (p = 0.0487). Women with the highest WHtR most commonly indicated external pressure from relatives or co-workers as a motivating factor for body mass reduction (p = 0.0435). Due to these differences between Caucasian women with excessive body mass, the approach of physicians and dietitians, as well as methods applied to motivate patients, need to be customized.

The influence of a 3-week body mass reduction program on the metabolic parameters and free amino acid profiles in adult Polish people with obesity

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have showed differences in the amino acid (AA) composition in the plasma of people with obesity when compared to lean individuals, but the perturbations of AA concentrations in obesity and the dynamics of AA changes after weight loss is not fully understood.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a short-term weight reduction program on the metabolic status and plasma AA levels in individuals with obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 24 adult Polish patients with a BMI between 34 and 49 kg/m2 were enrolled in a 3-week controlled body mass reduction program based on everyday physical activity and a hypocaloric diet (25-30% less than total daily energy requirements). At baseline and after the program, anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and free AA profiles were determined.

RESULTS

After the weight loss program, significant changes in body mass and metabolic parameters (e.g., low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, fasting glucose, and insulin levels) were observed. Positive changes in a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) following the program were also found. The levels of 10 AAs (α-amino-n-butyric acid, alanine, citrulline, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, proline, sarcosine, and threonine) had significantly increased following weight loss. Only aspartic acid was present at a significantly lower concentration after the program.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a 3-week controlled body mass reduction program based on physical activity and a hypocaloric diet, we were able to demonstrate significant changes in biochemical parameters and free AA profiles. To better understand these changes, future studies should involve a long-term program with more patients.

Effect of choline supplementation on rapid weight loss and biochemical variables among female taekwondo and judo athletes

Taekwondo and judo competitions are divided into weight categories. Many athletes reduce their body mass a few days before competition in order to obtain a competitive advantage over lighter opponents. To achieve fast body mass reduction, athletes use a number of nutritional strategies, including choline supplementation. The goal of this study was to identify the effects of choline supplementation on body mass reduction and leptin levels among female taekwondo and judo athletes. Twenty-two female athletes (15 taekwondo and 7 judo athletes) were selected from different weight categories and divided into two groups, according to weight. The players in the experimental group took choline tablets for one week before a competition. The results revealed significant differences between pre- and post-competition measurements of leptin, free plasma choline, urine choline and urine malondialdehyde levels; body mass was also reduced in the post-competition measurements. In conclusion, choline supplementation could rapidly reduce body mass without any side effects on biochemical levels or static strength.