Comparative effectiveness of two popular weight loss programs in women I: body composition and resting energy expenditure
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abstract
42 sedentary women (337 yrs, 1647 cm; 9319 kg; 467% body fat, 356 kg/m2) were randomized to participate in the Curves (C) or Weight Watchers (W) weight loss programs for 16wks. Participants in the C program followed a 1,200 kcal/d diet for 1wk and 1,500 kcal/d diet for 3 wks (30:45 CHO:PRO). Subjects then ingested 2,000 kcals/d for 2wks (45:30 CHO:PRO) and repeated this diet while participating in the Curves with Zumba program 3dwk. Remaining subjects followed the W pointbased diet program, received weekly counseling, and were encouraged to exercise. DEXA body composition and REE measurements were obtained at 0, 4, 10, & 16 wks and analyzed by MANOVA. Subjects in both groups lost a similar amount of body weight (C 2.72.3, 4.93.8, 5.44.1; W 2.91.6, 5.72.9, 6.74.3 kg, p=0.31). However, subjects in the C group experienced significantly greater loss in fat mass (C 4.26.4, 4.86.2, 6.54.1; W 0.26, 1.07.3, 2.67.9 kg, qp=0.03) and reductions in percent body fat (C 3.36.3, 3.05.9, 4.86.7; W 1.16.7, 0.38.7, 1.08.3 %, qp=0.06) while FFM was increased in the C group and decreased in the W group (C 1.65.2, 0.14.8, 1.25.0; W 2.55.6, 3.76.5, 3.45.7 kg, p=0.02). REE values increased over time and were nonsignificantly higher in the C group. Results indicate that participation in the C program promotes more favorable changes in body composition than participation in the W program.
