J Hum Nutr Diet. 2015 Feb;28 Suppl 2:16-23. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12188. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

The relationship between pretreatment dietary composition and weight loss during a randomised trial of different diet approaches.

McVay MA1, Jeffreys AS, King HA, Olsen MK, Voils CI, Yancy WS Jr.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Identifying pretreatment dietary habits that are associated with weight-loss intervention outcomes could help guide individuals' selection of weight-loss approach among competing options. A pretreatment factor that may influence weight-loss outcomes is macronutrient intake.

METHODS:

Overweight and obese Durham Veterans Affairs outpatients were randomised to a weight-loss intervention with a low-carbohydrate diet (n = 71) or orlistat medication therapy plus a low-fat diet (n = 73). Percentage fat, carbohydrate and protein intake prior to treatment were measured using 4-day food records. Linear mixed-effects models were used to determine whether pretreatment percentage macronutrient intake influenced weight trajectories and weight loss in each weight-loss condition.

RESULTS:

Participant's mean age was 53 years, baseline body mass index was 39.3 kg m(-2) and 72% were male. A higher pretreatment percentage carbohydrate intake was associated with less rapid initial weight loss (P = 0.02) and less rapid weight regain (P = 0.03) in the low-carbohydrate diet condition but was not associated with weight trajectories in the orlistat plus low-fat diet condition. In both conditions, a higher pretreatment percentage fat intake was associated with more rapid weight regain (P < 0.01). Pretreatment percentage protein intake was not associated with weight trajectories. None of the pretreatment macronutrients were associated with weight loss on study completion in either condition.

CONCLUSIONS:

Selection of a weight-loss approach on the basis of pretreatment macronutrient intake is unlikely to improve weight outcomes at the end of a 1-year treatment. However, pretreatment macronutrient intake may have implications for tailoring of interventions to slow weight regain after weight loss.

© 2013 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

KEYWORDS:

carbohydrate-restricted diet; dietary carbohydrates; dietary fats; orlistat; weight loss

PMID:

 

24251378

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]