Effects of consuming later evening meal v. earlier evening meal on weight loss during a weight loss diet: a randomised clinical trial.

Previous evidence confirms a relationship between the timing of food intake and weight loss. We aimed to evaluate the effect of late v. early evening meal (EEM) consumption on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors in women during a weight loss programme. Eighty-two healthy women (BMI 27-35 kg/m2; age 18-45 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: EEM group (eating at 19.00-19.30 hours) or late evening meal (LEM) group (eating at 22.30-23.00 hours), for 12 weeks. Compared with the LEM group, the EEM group had a greater mean reduction in weight (EEM: -6·74 (sd 1·92) kg; LEM: -4·81 (sd 2·22) kg; P < 0·001), BMI (EEM: -2·60 (sd 0·71) kg/m2; LEM: -1·87 (sd 0·85) kg/m2; P < 0·001), waist circumference (EEM: -8 (sd 3·25) cm; LEM: -6 (sd 3·05) cm, P = 0·007), total cholesterol (EEM: -0·51 (sd 0·19) mmol/l, LEM: -0·43 (sd 0·19) mmol/l, P = 0·038), TAG (EEM: -0·28 (sd 0·10) mmol/l, LEM: -0·19 (sd 0·10) mmol/l, P < 0·001) and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (EEM: -0·83 (sd 0·37); LEM: -0·55 (sd 0·28), P < 0·001) after 12 weeks. In conclusion, eating an earlier evening meal resulted in favourable changes in weight loss and plasma cardiometabolic risk markers during a weight loss programme.

Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on weight maintenance after successful weight loss in women; a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Weight regain after weight loss is a main challenge in obesity management. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been introduced as an option for achieving weight loss but not tested for weight maintenance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CBT on weight maintenance after successful weight loss. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Female adults [n = 113, BMI = 23-30 kg/m²; age = 18-45 years], who had lost at least 10% of their body weight by using a weight loss program, were randomly allocated to either CBT or control group for a further 24-week weight-maintenance period. RESULTS: Compared with control group, CBT treatment improved weight loss maintenance (mean difference, -2.2 kg [95% CI, -3.50, -0.94]; P = 0.001), BMI (mean difference, -0.77 kg/m²; [95% CI, -1.25, -0.28]; P = 0.002), and waist circumference (mean difference, -2.08 cm; [95% CI, -3.31, -0.844]; P = 0.001) at the end of the 24-week period intervention. Estimated energy intake showed a significant reduction over time in CBT group, while it increased in control group (P < 0.001). There was also a significant group × time interaction for mean daily steps over the 24-week period with CBT having a higher level (P < 0.001). However, changes in lipid profiles and carbohydrate metabolism were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective tool for weight maintenance over a 24-week period in successful weight losers, with corresponding maintenance of a reduced energy intake and doing more physical activity which may helpful for weight maintenance in the long term.

Effect of a Long Bout Versus Short Bouts of Walking on Weight Loss During a Weight-Loss Diet: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different daily physical activity (PA) frequencies, while maintaining the same daily volume of PA, on weight loss, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism in women with overweight or obesity throughout a 24-week intervention. METHODS: During their weight-loss plan, 65 women (BMI = 27-35 kg/m2 ; age = 18-40 years) who had a sedentary lifestyle were randomly allocated to the following groups: diet plus a long bout of moderate physical activity (LBP) (one 50-minute bout of moderate-intensity PA) 6 d/wk or diet plus short bouts of moderate physical activity (SBP) (two 25-minute bouts of moderate-intensity PA) 6 d/wk. Anthropometric and blood measurements were taken at baseline and at 24 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with the LBP group, the SBP group had a greater decrease in weight (SBP: -8.08 ± 2.20 kg; LBP: -6.39 ± 2.28 kg; P = 0.019), BMI (SBP: -3.11 ± 0.87 kg/m2 ; LBP: -2.47 ± 0.86 kg/m2 ; P = 0.027), and waist circumference (SBP: -8.78 ± 2.62 cm; LBP: -5.76 ± 2.03 cm; P = 0.026). No significant differences were seen in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism characteristics after 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: PA undertaken in two shorter bouts per day could be more effective for weight loss than PA undertaken in a daily long bout in adult women in a 24-week weight-loss program.

Beneficial effects of replacing diet beverages with water on type 2 diabetic obese women following a hypo-energetic diet: A randomized, 24-week clinical trial.

AIMS: To compare the effect of replacing diet beverages (DBs) with water or continuing to drink DBs in patients with type 2 diabetes during a 24-week weight loss program. The primary endpoint was the effect of intervention on weight over a 24-week period. The main secondary endpoints included anthropometric measurement and glucose and fat metabolism during the 24-week period. METHODS: A total of 81 overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes, who usually consumed DBs in their diet, were asked to either substitute water for DBs or continue drinking DBs five times per week after lunch for 24 weeks (DBs group) during a weight loss program. RESULTS: Compared with the DBs group, the water group had a greater decrease in weight (water, -6.40 ± 2.42 kg; DBs, -5.25 ± 1.60 kg; P = .006), in BMI (water, -2.49 ± 0.92 kg/m2 ; DBs, -2.06 ± 0.62 kg/m2 ; P = .006), in FPG (water, -1.63 ± 0.54 mmol/L; DBs, -1.29 ± 0.48 mmol/L, P = .005), in fasting insulin (water, -5.71 ± 2.30 m lU/mL; DBs, -4.16 ± 1.74 m lU/mL, P = .011), in HOMA IR (water, -3.20 ± 1.17; DBs, -2.48 ± 0.99, P = 003) and in 2 hour postprandial glucose (water, -1.67 ± 0.62 mmol/L; DBs, -1.35 ± 0.39 mmol/L; P = 0.027) over the 24-week period. However, there was no significant time × group interaction for waist circumference, lipid profiles and HbA1c within both groups over the 24-week period. CONCLUSION: Replacement of DBs with water after the main meal in obese adult women with type 2 diabetes may lead to more weight reduction during a weight loss program.

Effect of weekly physical activity frequency on weight loss in healthy overweight and obese women attending a weight loss program: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of intensity and duration of physical activity (PA) on weight loss has been well described. However, the effect of the frequency of weekly PA on weight loss is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the frequency of weekly PA sessions while maintaining the same total activity time on weight loss during a 24-wk weight loss program. DESIGN: Overweight and obese women [n = 75; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2): 27-37; age: 18-40 y] who had a normally sedentary lifestyle were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 intervention groups: a high-frequency physical activity (HF) or a low-frequency physical activity (LF) group. The HF group included 50 min/d PA, 6 d/wk (300 min/wk). The LF group included 100 min/d PA, 3 d/wk (300 min/wk). Both groups were advised to follow the same dietary weight loss program. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant decrease in anthropometric measurements and significant improvements in cardiometabolic disease risk characteristics over the 24 wk of the study. Compared with the HF group, the LF group had a greater decrease in weight (mean ± SD; LF: 9.58 ± 3.77 kg; HF: 7.78 ± 2.68 kg; P = 0.028), BMI (LF: 3.62 ± 1.56; HF: 2.97 ± 1.02; P = 0.029) and waist circumference (LF: 9.36 ± 4.02 cm; HF: 7.86 ± 2.41 cm; P = 0.031). However, there were no significant differences in carbohydrate metabolism characteristics or lipid profile after the 24 wk of intervention. CONCLUSION: Weekly PA undertaken over fewer sessions of longer duration during the week could be more effective for weight loss than when undertaken as more frequent shorter sessions in overweight and obese women on a weight loss program. This may be helpful for those who are neither willing nor able to schedule time for PA almost every day to achieve weight loss. This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as IRCT201402157754N4.

Beneficial effect of high energy intake at lunch rather than dinner on weight loss in healthy obese women in a weight-loss program: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The association between the time of nutrient intake and health has been described in a few studies. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the relation between high energy intakes at lunch compared with at dinner on weight loss in overweight and obese subjects. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effect of high energy intake at lunch with that at dinner on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors in women during a weight-loss program. DESIGN: Overweight and obese women [n = 80; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2): 27-35; age: 18-45 y] were asked to eat either a main meal at lunch (LM) or a main meal at dinner (DM) for 12 wk while in a weight-loss program. RESULTS: A total of 80 participants were randomly assigned to one of 2 intervention groups. Sixty-nine subjects (86%) completed the trial (34 subjects in the DM group, and 35 subjects in the LM group). Baseline variables were not significantly different between groups. A significant reduction in anthropometric measurements and significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk characteristics were observed over 12 wk in both groups. Compared with the DM group, the LM group had greater mean ± SD reductions in weight (LM: -5.85 ± 1.96 kg; DM: -4.35 ± 1.98 kg; P = 0.003), BMI (LM: 2.27± 0.76; DM: 1.68 ± 0.76; P = 0.003), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (LM: -0.66 ± 0.33; DM: -0.46 ± 0.24; P = 0.001), and fasting insulin (LM: -2.01 ± 1.10 mIU/mL; DM: -1.16 ± 0.72 mIU/mL; P < 0.001) after 12 wk. However, there were no significant differences for fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles within both groups after 12 wk. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of higher energy intake at lunch compared with at dinner may result in favorable changes in weight loss in overweight and obese women after a weight-loss program of 12 wk. The consumption may also offer clinical benefits to improve insulin resistance. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02399280.

Comparison of the effect of daily consumption of probiotic compared with low-fat conventional yogurt on weight loss in healthy obese women following an energy-restricted diet: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence for the beneficial effects of probiotics and low-fat dairy products, to our knowledge, no study has compared the beneficial effect on weight loss of consuming a probiotic yogurt (PY) compared with a standard low-fat yogurt (LF) during a hypoenergetic program. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effect of the PY with LF yogurt consumption on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in women during a weight-loss program. DESIGN: Overweight and obese women [body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 27-40; age: 18-50 y) who usually consumed standard LFs were asked to consume either PY or LF every day with their main meals for 12 wk while following a weight-loss program. RESULTS: A total of 89 participants were randomly assigned to one of the 2 intervention groups. Baseline variables were not significantly different between groups. A statistically significant reduction in anthropometric measurements and significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk characteristics were observed over the 12 wk in both groups. However, no significant differences in weight loss and anthropometric measurements were seen between groups after the intervention. Compared with the LF group, the PY group had a greater (mean ± SD) decrease in total cholesterol (PY = -0.36 ± 0.10 mmol/L, LF = -0.31 ± 0.10 mmol/L; P = 0.024), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (PY = -0.35 ± 0.10 mmol/L, LF = -0.31 ± 0.11 mmol/L; P = 0.018), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (PY = -0.55 ± 0.32, LF = -0.42 ± 0.20; P = 0.002), 2-h postprandial glucose (PY = -0.61 ± 0.24 mmol/L, LF = -0.44 ± 0.19 mmol/L; P < 0.001), and fasting insulin concentration (PY = -1.76 ± 1.01 mU/mL, LF = -1.32 ± 0.62 mU/mL; P = 0.002), as secondary endpoints after the study. No significant differences were found for fasting plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglycerides within both groups after the 12 wk. CONCLUSION: Consumption of PY compared with LF with main meals showed no significant effects on weight loss. However, it may have positive effects on lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity during a weight-loss program. This trial was registered at http://www.irct.ir/ as IRCT201402177754N8.

Effects on weight loss in adults of replacing diet beverages with water during a hypoenergetic diet: a randomized, 24-wk clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Obese people believe that drinking diet beverages (DBs) may be a simple strategy to achieve weight loss. However, nutritionists advise drinking water when attempting to lose weight. It is unclear how important drinking water instead of DBs is during a weight-loss program. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared the effect on weight loss of either replacing DBs with water or continuing to consume DBs in adults during a 24-wk weight-loss program. DESIGN: Overweight and obese women [n = 89; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): 27-40; age: 18-50 y] who usually consumed DBs in their diet were asked to either substitute water for DBs (water group) or continue drinking DBs 5 times/wk after their lunch for 24 wk (DB group) while on a weight-loss program. RESULTS: Sixty-two participants (71%) completed the trial (32 in the DB group, 30 in the water group). Baseline variables were not statistically significantly different between groups. A statistically significant reduction in anthropometric measurements and statistically significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk characteristics were observed over 24 wk in both groups. Compared with the DB group, the water group had a greater decrease in weight (mean ± SD: water: -8.8 ± 1.9 kg; DBs: -7.6 ± 2.1 kg; P = 0.015, time × group), fasting insulin (mean ± SD: water: -2.84 ± 0.77 mU/L; DBs: -1.78 ± 1.25 mU/L, P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (mean ± SD: water: -0.097 ± 0.049; DBs: -0.057 ± 0.042, P < 0.001), and 2-h postprandial glucose (mean ± SD: water: -1.02 ± 0.25 mmol/L; DBs: -0.72 ± 0.27 mmol/L; P < 0.001) over the 24 wk. However, there was no significant time × group interaction for waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profiles within both groups over 24 wk. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of DBs with water after the main meal may lead to greater weight reduction during a weight-loss program. It may also offer clinical benefits to improve insulin resistance. This trial was registered at www.irct.ir/ as IRCT201402177754N5.

Differential susceptibility of astrocytic and neuronal function to 3-chloropropanediol in the rat inferior colliculus.

We have previously shown that systemic administration of S(+)3-chloropropanediol (3-CPD) produces a morphological loss of astrocytes in specific nuclei of the rodent brain that precedes loss of both neurones and endothelial tight junctions. Here, we have evaluated the differential susceptibility of neuronal and astrocytic function to 3-CPD, in order to see if this parallels the morphological selectivity. To do this, we have developed an in vivo method for monitoring astrocyte function over time by giving hourly 20-min bolus challenge exposures to ammonia via an implanted microdialysis probe and measuring the resulting transient increases in the extracellular glutamine : glutamate ratio. These challenge ammonia exposures evoked a stable response for at least 5 h when the probe was implanted in the rat inferior colliculus, but caused no behavioural response or morphological damage. Although 3-CPD produced a rapid and sustained abolition of the ammonia response within 2 h, the field potential response of inferior collicular neurones to sound fell significantly to 75.0 ± 3.9% pre-dose at up to 8 h but then fell markedly, reaching 20.5 ± 3.7% at 2 days. Blood flow in the inferior colliculus also showed only late changes, increasing substantially at 2 days. Astrocyte damage at the EM level was seen from 3 h, followed by loss of astrocytes from 18 h to a minimum of 7 ± 10% control at 3 days. The rapid abolition of the ammonia response suggests that in addition to selective astrocyte death, 3-CPD also produces an earlier impairment of astrocyte function that precedes loss of neuronal function. This initial functional selectivity of 3-CPD provides a potential investigative tool in neurochemical studies of astrocyte-neuronal interactions.