Abstract
Objective
Given that the repetitive loss and regain of body weight, termed weight cycling, is
a prevalent phenomenon that has been associated with negative physiological and psychological
outcomes, the purpose of this study was to investigate weight change and physiological
outcomes in women with a lifetime history of weight cycling enrolled in a 12-month
diet and/or exercise intervention.
Methods
439 overweight, inactive, postmenopausal women were randomized to: i) dietary weight
loss with a 10% weight loss goal (N=118); ii) moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for 45 min/day, 5 days/week (n=117); ii) both dietary weight loss and exercise (n=117); or iv) control (n=87). Women were categorized as non-, moderate- (≥3 losses of ≥4.5 kg), or severe-cyclers (≥3 losses of ≥9.1 kg). Trend tests and linear regression were used to compare adherence and changes
in weight, body composition, blood pressure, insulin, C-peptide, glucose, insulin
resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein, leptin, adiponectin, and interleukin-6 between
cyclers and non-cyclers.
Results
Moderate (n=103) and severe (n=77) cyclers were heavier and had less favorable metabolic profiles than non-cyclers
at baseline. There were, however, no significant differences in adherence to the lifestyle
interventions. Weight-cyclers (combined) had a greater improvement in HOMA-IR compared
to non-cyclers participating in the exercise only intervention (P=.03), but no differences were apparent in the other groups.
Conclusion
A history of weight cycling does not impede successful participation in lifestyle
interventions or alter the benefits of diet and/or exercise on body composition and
metabolic outcomes.
Abbreviations:
NEW (Nutrition and Exercise in Women), BMI (Body Mass Index), METs (Metabolic Equivalents), VO2max (Maximal Oxygen Uptake), DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry), MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), CV (Coefficient of Variation), ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance), GEE (General Estimating Equation)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 14, 2012
Accepted:
June 29,
2012
Received:
April 23,
2012
Footnotes
Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT00470119.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
