Nutrition and physical activity programs for obesity treatment (PRONAF study): methodological approach of the project.

BACKGROUND: At present, scientific consensus exists on the multifactorial etiopatogenia of obesity. Both professionals and researchers agree that treatment must also have a multifactorial approach, including diet, physical activity, pharmacology and/or surgical treatment. These two last ones should be reserved for those cases of morbid obesities or in case of failure of the previous ones. The aim of the PRONAF study is to determine what type of exercise combined with caloric restriction is the most appropriate to be included in overweigth and obesity intervention programs, and the aim of this paper is to describe the design and the evaluation methods used to carry out the PRONAF study. METHODS/DESIGN: One-hundred nineteen overweight (46 males) and 120 obese (61 males) subjects aged 18-50 years were randomly assigned to a strength training group, an endurance training group, a combined strength + endurance training group or a diet and physical activity recommendations group. The intervention period was 22 weeks (in all cases 3 times/wk of training for 22 weeks and 2 weeks for pre and post evaluation). All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (25-30% less energy intake than the daily energy expenditure estimated by accelerometry). 29-34% of the total energy intake came from fat, 14-20% from protein, and 50-55% from carbohydrates. The mayor outcome variables assesed were, biochemical and inflamatory markers, body composition, energy balance, physical fitness, nutritional habits, genetic profile and quality of life. 180 (75.3%) subjects finished the study, with a dropout rate of 24.7%. Dropout reasons included: personal reasons 17 (28.8%), low adherence to exercise 3 (5.1%), low adherence to diet 6 (10.2%), job change 6 (10.2%), and lost interest 27 (45.8%). DISCUSSION: Feasibility of the study has been proven, with a low dropout rate which corresponds to the estimated sample size. Transfer of knowledge is foreseen as a spin-off, in order that overweight and obese subjects can benefit from the results. The aim is to transfer it to sports centres. Effectiveness on individual health-related parameter in order to determine the most effective training programme will be analysed in forthcoming publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01116856.

Impact of APOE2allele on lipid profile change after a weight loss program.

BACKGROUND: apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism is a genetic determinant of lipid and lipoprotein levels and the risk for coronary heart disease. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the impact of ApoE2allele in lipid plasma levels and the influence of a healthy hypocaloric diet plus a controlled physical activity on the lipid profile, we performed a study in a cohort of overweight and obese healthy subjects (Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 34.9 kg·m-2). METHODS: one hundred eighty participants (96 women), aged 18-50 years participated in a 22 weeks weight loss intervention based on same dietary treatment and different controlled exercise programs. All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (25-30% less energy intake than the daily energy expenditure). Blood samples were obtained for lipids measurements at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: after intervention, men of the E2 group showed the greatest decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) values (p = 0.039; p = 0.001; p = 0.001; respectively). For high-density lipoprotein (HDL), E2 group had significant differences compared with E4 at pre- (p = 0.020) and post-intervention values (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: our results show great changes in men carrying ApoE2, mainly in TG and TC concentrations after treatment with hypocaloric diet and controlled exercise. Therefore, adding supervised training to nutritional intervention seems to be a good alternative for the reinforcement of the effect of the treatment.

Influence of ADRB2 Gln27Glu and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms on body weight and body composition changes after a controlled weight-loss intervention.

The ß-2 and ß-3 adrenergic receptors (ADRB2 and ADRB3) are thought to play a role in energy expenditure and lipolysis. However, the effects of the ADRB2 glutamine (Gln) 27 glutamic acid (glutamate) (Glu) and ADRB3 tryptophan (Trp) 64 arginine (Arg) polymorphisms on weight loss remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these polymorphisms on changes in weight and body composition during a controlled weight-loss program. One hundred seventy-three healthy overweight and obese participants (91 women, 82 men) aged 18-50 years participated in a 22-week-long intervention based on a hypocaloric diet and exercise. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: strength, endurance, strength and endurance combined, and physical activity recommendations only. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body composition variables were assessed before and after the intervention. Genetic analysis was carried out according to standard protocols. No effect of the ADRB2 gene was shown on final weight, BMI, or body composition, although in the supervised male group, Glu27 carriers tended to have greater weight (p = 0.019, 2.5 kg) and BMI (p = 0.019, 0.88 kg/m(2)) reductions than did noncarriers. There seems to be an individual effect of the ADRB3 polymorphism on fat mass (p = 0.004) and fat percentage (p = 0.036), in addition to an interaction with exercise for fat mass (p = 0.038). After the intervention, carriers of the Arg64 allele had a greater fat mass and fat percentage than did noncarriers (p = 0.004, 2.8 kg). In conclusion, the ADRB2 Gln27Glu and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms may influence weight loss and body composition, although the current evidence is weak; however, further studies are necessary to clarify their roles.

Change in weight and body composition in obese subjects following a hypocaloric diet plus different training programs or physical activity recommendations.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different physical activity programs, in combination with a hypocaloric diet, on anthropometric variables and body composition in obese subjects. Ninety-six obese (men: n = 48; women: n = 48; age range: 18-50 yr) participated in a supervised 22-wk program. They were randomized into four groups: strength training (S; n = 24), endurance training (E; n = 26), combined strength + endurance training (SE; n = 24), and physical activity recommendations (C; n = 22). In addition, all groups followed the same hypocaloric diet. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, dietetic and physical activity variables were assessed using validated questionnaires. Anthropometric variables were recorded along with body composition variables measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry techniques. At the end of the intervention, significant improvements were seen within groups in terms of body weight (S: -9.21 ± 0.83 kg; E: -10.55 ± 0.80 kg; SE: -9.88 ± 0.85 kg; C: -8.69 ± 0.89 kg), and total fat mass (S: -5.24 ± 0.55%; E: -5.35 ± 0.55%; SE: -4.85 ± 0.56%; C: -4.89 ± 0.59%). No differences were seen between groups at this time in terms of any other anthropometric or body composition variables examined. All groups increased their total physical activity in metabolic equivalents (MET) per week during the intervention, but with no difference between groups (S: 976 ± 367 MET-min/wk; E: 954 ± 355 MET-min/wk; SE: 1 329 ± 345 MET-min/wk; C: 763 ± 410 MET-min/wk). This study shows that, when combined with a hypocaloric diet, exercise training and adherence to physical activity recommendations are equally effective at reducing body weight and modifying body composition in the treatment of obesity (Clinical Trials Gov. number: NCT01116856).

Comparison between different methods for measuring body fat after a weight loss program / Comparação entre diferentes métodos para mensuração da gordura corporal após um programa de perda de peso / Comparación entre diferentes métodos para medición de la grasa corporal después de un programa de pérdida de peso

ABSTRACT Introduction Accurate and sensitive measurement of body composition is an important tool in the diagnosis and control of obesity. Objective To compare body fat changes measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and skinfolds (SK) in healthy overweight adults in order to evaluate whether all three methods can be used during a weight loss program (WLP). Methods Eighty-four men (n=36) and women (n=48), body mass index 25-29.9 kg/m2, aged between 18-50 years, non-smokers and sedentary, were randomly assigned to strength, endurance, combined strength plus endurance, or physical activity recommendations groups. All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (25-30% decrease in energy intake in terms of the total daily energy expenditure). The intervention lasted 22 weeks. Results The highest correlation was obtained between DXA and SK when men and women were studied together (r=0.864, p<0.01). In women, significant differences were found between DXA and BIA in fat percentage (underestimation of BIA 2.4%, p<0.05). The underestimation was more determinant for both fat percentage and fat mass in men, 13.2% versus 10.2%, and 6.8 kg versus 4.2 kg between BIA and SK respectively (p<0.05). All the procedures obtained similar results (p>0.05) when changes in body fat caused by intervention were analyzed. However, considering results of the minimal difference compared to DXA, BIA showed the greatest sensitivity to detect changes in fat percentage and fat mass, while SK underestimated the changes, with a significantly lower percentage considered real (p=0.01). Conclusion The SK method seems to underestimate real changes, therefore DXA and BIA can serve as more effective tools to measure the change in fat percentage and fat mass during WLP. Level of evidence II, Diagnosis.

RESUMO Introdução A mensuração precisa e sensível da composição corporal é uma importante ferramenta para o diagnóstico e controle da obesidade. Objetivo Comparar as alterações da gordura corporal mensuradas através da absorciometria com raios-X de dupla energia (DEXA), análise da impedância bioelétrica (BIA) e dobras cutâneas (DC) em adultos saudáveis com sobrepeso, a fim de avaliar se os três métodos podem ser utilizados durante um programa de perda de peso (PPP). Métodos Oitenta e quatro homens (n=36) e mulheres (n=48) com índice de massa corporal entre 25-29,9 kg/m2, idade entre 18-50 anos, não-fumantes e sedentários foram divididos aleatoriamente em grupos de de força, resistência, combinados de força mais resistência ou com recomendações de atividade física. Todos os indivíduos seguiram uma dieta hipocalórica (25-30% de redução na ingestão energética em relação ao gasto energético total diário). A intervenção durou 22 semanas. Resultados A maior correlação foi obtida entre a DEXA e DC quando homens e mulheres foram estudados juntos (r=0,864, p<0,01). Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre a DEXA e BIA no percentual de gordura (subestimação da BIA em 2,4%, p<0,05) nas mulheres. A subestimação foi mais determinante tanto para o percentual de gordura quanto para a massa gorda nos homens, 13,2% versus 10,2%, e 6,8 kg versus 4,2 kg entre a BIA e DC, respectivamente (p<0,05). Todos os procedimentos obtiveram resultados similares (p>0,05) quando foram analisadas alterações na gordura corporal ocasionadas pela intervenção. No entanto, considerando os resultados da mínima diferença comparados à DEXA, a BIA apresentou maior sensibilidade para detectar mudanças no percentual de gordura e massa gorda, enquanto a DC subestimou as mudanças, com um percentual significativamente mais baixo considerado real (p=0,01). Conclusão O método de DC parece subestimar as mudanças reais, portanto, a DEXA e BIA podem ser ferramentas mais eficazes para mensurar a alteração no percentual de gordura e a massa gorda durante um PPP. Nível de evidência II, Diagnóstico.

RESUMEN Introducción La medición precisa y sensible de la composición corporal es una herramienta importante para el diagnóstico y control de la obesidad. Objetivo Comparar las alteraciones de la grasa corporal medidas a través de la absorciometría con rayos X de doble energía (DXA), análisis de la impedancia bioeléctrica (BIA) y los pliegues cutáneos (PC) en adultos saludables con sobrepeso, con el fin de evaluar si se pueden utilizar los tres métodos durante un programa de pérdida de peso (PPP). Métodos Ochenta y cuatro hombres y mujeres (varones n=36 y mujeres n=48), con índice de masa corporal entre 25-29,9kg/m2, edad entre 18-50 años, no fumadores y sedentarios fueron divididos aleatoriamente en grupos de fuerza, resistencia, combinados de fuerza más resistencia o con recomendaciones de actividad física. Todos los individuos siguieron una dieta hipocalórica (25-30% de reducción en la ingestión energética con relación al gasto energético total diario). La intervención duró 22 semanas. Resultados La mayor correlación fue obtenida entre DXA y PC cuando hombres y mujeres fueron estudiados conjuntamente (r=0,864, p<0,01). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre DXA y BIA en el porcentual de grasa (subestimación de la BIA en 2,4%, p<0,05) en las mujeres. La subestimación fue más determinante, tanto para el porcentual de grasa como para la masa grasa en los hombres, 13,2% versus 10,2%, y 6,8 kg versus 4,2 kg entre BIA y PC, respectivamente (p<0,05). Todos los procedimientos obtuvieron resultados similares (p>0,05), cuando se analizaron alteraciones en la grasa corporal causadas por la intervención. Sin embargo, considerando los resultados de la mínima diferencia comparados a DXA, la BIA presentó mayor sensibilidad para detectar cambios en el porcentual de grasa y masa grasa, mientras que la PC subestimó los cambios, con un porcentual significativamente más bajo considerado real (p=0,01). Conclusión El método de PC parece subestimar los cambios reales, por lo tanto, la DXA y la BIA pueden ser herramientas más eficaces para medir la alteración en el porcentual de grasa y masa grasa durante un PPP. Nivel de evidencia II, Diagnóstico.

Impact of APOE2 allele on lipid profile change after a weight loss program / Impacto del alelo APOE2 en el cambio del perfil lipídico después de un programa de pérdida de peso

Background: apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism is a genetic determinant of lipid and lipoprotein levels and the risk for coronary heart disease. Objective: to evaluate the impact of ApoE2 allele in lipid plasma levels and the influence of a healthy hypocaloric diet plus a controlled physical activity on the lipid profile, we performed a study in a cohort of overweight and obese healthy subjects (Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 34.9 kg·m-2). Methods: one hundred eighty participants (96 women), aged 18-50 years participated in a 22 weeks weight loss intervention based on same dietary treatment and different controlled exercise programs. All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (25-30% less energy intake than the daily energy expenditure). Blood samples were obtained for lipids measurements at the beginning and end of the study. Results: after intervention, men of the E2 group showed the greatest decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) values (p = 0.039; p = 0.001; p = 0.001; respectively). For high-density lipoprotein (HDL), E2 group had significant differences compared with E4 at pre- (p = 0.020) and post-intervention values (p = 0.024). Conclusion: our results show great changes in men carrying ApoE2, mainly in TG and TC concentrations after treatment with hypocaloric diet and controlled exercise. Therefore, adding supervised training to nutritional intervention seems to be a good alternative for the reinforcement of the effect of the treatment

Antecedentes: el polimorfismo de la apolipoproteína E (ApoE) es un determinante genético de los niveles de lípidos y lipoproteínas y el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria. Objetivo: para evaluar el impacto del alelo ApoE2 en los niveles de lípidos plasmáticos y la influencia de una dieta hipocalórica sana más una actividad física controlada en el perfil lipídico, se realizó un estudio en una cohorte de sujetos sanos con sobrepeso y obesidad (índice de masa corporal entre 25-34,9 kg·m-2). Métodos: ciento ochenta participantes (96 mujeres), de 18-50 años participaron en una intervención de pérdida de peso de 22 semanas basada en el mismo tratamiento dietético y diferentes programas de ejercicios controlados. Todos los sujetos siguieron una dieta hipocalórica (consumo de energía entre 25-30% inferior que el gasto energético total diario). Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre para las mediciones de lípidos al inicio y al final del estudio. Resultados: después de la intervención, los hombres del grupo E2 mostraron las mayores disminuciones en los valores de lipoproteína de baja densidad (LDL), triglicéridos (TG) y colesterol total (TC) (p = 0,039; p = 0,001; p = 0,001). Para las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL), el grupo E2 presentó diferencias significativas en comparación con E4 en los valores previos (p = 0,020) y postintervención (p = 0,024). Conclusión: nuestros resultados muestran grandes cambios en los hombres que portan ApoE2, principalmente en las concentraciones de TG y TC después del tratamiento con dieta hipocalórica y ejercicio controlado. Por lo tanto, la adición de entrenamiento supervisado a la intervención nutricional parece ser una buena alternativa para el refuerzo del efecto del tratamiento