Moderate Walking Enhances the Effects of an Energy-Restricted Diet on Fat Mass Loss and Serum Insulin in Overweight and Obese Adults in a 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Increased physical activity may be advantageous for weight loss. We investigated the effects of an energy-restricted diet with and without moderate walking on body weight, body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), and endocrine and cardiometabolic risk variables in overweight and obese participants. A 12-wk, randomized, 2-arm, parallel, controlled, energy-restricted (500-800 kcal/d) dietary intervention study was conducted in 82 men and women [mean baseline characteristics: age, 39.4 y; weight, 99.3 kg; body mass index (in kg/m), 31.9]. Participants were divided into 2 groups. One group received a hypoenergetic diet (DI) only ( = 44). The second group received the same DI and participated in a regular walking program of 2.5 h/wk (DI + walking; = 38). After the 12-wk intervention, body weight was significantly decreased in the DI + walking group and the DI group (-8.8 compared with -7.0 kg, = 0.064 for intergroup differences). The decrease in body weight was accompanied by a significant reduction in total fat mass, which was significantly more pronounced in the DI + walking group than in the DI group (-6.4 ± 3.1 compared with -4.8 ± 3.0 kg; = 0.020). REE after 12 wk was not significantly different compared with the baseline REE. Diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol were similarly significantly improved by both interventions. In the DI + walking group, insulin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index were also significantly reduced. Serum free triiodothyronine was significantly decreased and serum cortisol was significantly increased in both groups. Participation in a 12-wk weight-loss study resulted in significant reductions in body weight and fat mass and was associated with significant improvements in biomarkers for cardiovascular disease risk. Moderate weight loss was not accompanied by a reduction in REE. Additional moderate walking enhanced the effects of a DI on fat loss and serum insulin. This trial was registered at www.germanctr.de/ and http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/ as DRKS00006827.

Systematic realist synthesis of health-related and lifestyle interventions designed to decrease overweight, obesity and unemployment in adults

“…Factors that contributed to the success of interventions included: longer length of intervention [ 71 ], more contact time with participants [ 65 , 110 , 114 , 119 ], culturally or gender tailored intervention [ 52 , 72 , 75 , 83 , 93 , 94 , 99 , 102 , 107 – 109 , 113 , 114 , 119 , 124 ], regular monitoring and support [ 20 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 62 , 75 , 88 , 89 , 93 , 97 , 103 , 104 , 106 ], positive attitude of coaches [ 74 ], simplicity of tasks/messages [ 66 , 82 , 84 , 85 , 94 , 108 , 115 , 119 , 120 ], high satisfaction and acceptance of intervention [ 22 , 58 , 68 , 106 , 117 , 121 ], variation in activities [ 56 , 88 ], interactive and engaging activities [ 58 , 86 , 89 , 94 , 96 , 101 , 113 ], small changes approach [ 96 , 107 ] and high compliance [ 95 , 104 , 105 , 113 ...…”

Replacing Sedentary Time with Physically Active Behaviour Predicts Improved Body Composition and Metabolic Health Outcomes

“…Just 30 min/day of sedentary time reallocated to MVPA predicted a 42.7% (7.0 mU/L) reduction in insulin, sufficient to return insulin concentrations to well within the healthy range. Exercise is known to improve insulin sensitivity, especially in obese populations [ 29 , 30 , 31 ], and improve metabolic flexibility and the ability of the body to switch between glucose and lipid metabolism depending on demands [ 32 , 33 ]. In this light, the body composition and insulin improvements predicted with increased PA present significant potential to enhance the long-term health of Māori women with overweight and obesity.…”

Effect of Mobile-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Body Weight, Glucose and Lipid Metabolism among the Overweight and Obese Elderly Population in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

“…According to related researches, the clinically meaningful difference in change in BMI was set to 1 kg/m 2 and the mean change in BMI of the 12-week diet and exercise group, the 12-week exercise group and the control group was −2.8, −2.5 and −0.9 kg/m 2 , respectively. The standard deviation (SD) was assumed to be equal for all three groups and was set to SD = 1.4 Kg/m 2 [ 29 , 30 ]. To obtain a power of 0.90 for the overall test of differences in means, using a significance level of 0.05, 13 individuals are required in each group.…”