Browsing by Subject "Weight Loss"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Dietary protein and weight in midlife adults
    (2013-04) Aldrich, Noel David
    Current dietary recommendations include 0.8 g/kg/day of protein to meet metabolic requirements of nitrogen and amino acids; however, a growing body of data has identified positive changes in weight, body composition, blood pressure, and metabolic markers with increased intake of protein. Related to increased protein intake, research has been directed toward various sources of protein and composition responsible for specific metabolic responses. Therefore, more research is needed to evaluate the effective use of protein to improve body weight and composition, and perceptions consumers have regarding the role of dietary protein in weight control/maintenance. The focus of this dissertation was two-fold, 1) to evaluate the effectiveness of increased protein intake for promoting weight loss and improving body composition in a controlled weight loss study, and 2) to evaluate the use of the practice of "eating more protein" to prevent weight gain among midlife women. Additionally, the activity of the Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) was evaluated to assess related metabolic effects with protein intake. The first study described the effect of three weight loss diets on body composition, blood pressure, and RAS metabolites. Midlife participants were randomly assigned a control diet (15% protein), a mixed protein diet (30% protein), and a whey protein diet (15% mixed, 15% whey) condition for a 5 month period. Total body weight and fat loss between groups was not significantly different, but a trend toward greater body weight and fat loss was observed with the whey protein diet. No differences in RAS metabolites were observed between diets, but a statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure was observed with the whey protein diet. These results confirm that reduction of energy intake is the primary effective step in weight loss, but secondary effects of regional fat loss and decreased blood pressure may be achieved with a high protein diet containing whey protein. The second study described survey results of a national panel of midlife women regarding weight maintenance practices and weight self-efficacy. In this cross-sectional survey, "eating more protein" was identified as the fourth most common practice used to prevent weight gain. Self-reported weight loss over 2 years was associated with reporting the use of the eating more protein practice. Although those who gained and lost weight reported similar weight maintenance practices, those who lost weight had significantly higher Weight Efficacy Lifestyle scores than those who gained weight. Educating individuals on the best use of protein to encourage successful weight maintenance may enhance the results. In conclusion, while many metabolic effects have been identified with increased protein intake, the best use practices for weight maintenance and weight loss continue to be a significant research topic. Increased protein intake has been associated with increased satiety and insulin sensitivity, and decreased blood pressure. Whey protein intake in a high protein weight loss plan may further result in regional fat loss and decreased blood pressure, but the specific mechanisms have not been determined. Among a national sample, midlife women reported eating more protein to maintain weight, and high self-efficacy was associated with successful weight maintenance.
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    The effect of a supplemental telephonic physical activity coaching program for treating obesity: a randomized controlled trial
    (2013-07) Zambrana, Michael S.
    Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a supplemental telephonic physical activity coaching program based on Active Living Every Day (ALED) when combined with the services of a specialty medical practice on weight loss, body and truncal fat reduction, and blood pressure improvement when treating obese persons over six months. Setting: Participants were recruited from the Minnesota Center for Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology (MNCOME) specialty medical practice. Methods: Forty obese adults participated in the study. The design was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, with participants randomized to receive either: (1) treatment group which included telephonic physical activity coaching with pedometer-based tracking and active participation with MNCOME or (2) control group which included only active participation with MNCOME. Measures for all variables were assessed at baseline and six months. Results: Weight, body and truncal fat, and blood pressure variables did not differ significantly between groups after six months. However, the results indicate that both telephonic coaching and control groups achieved a statistically significant within-group difference from baseline to a period of six-months for mean weight losses of 14.7 ± 3.4 (p ≤ 0.002) and 15.4 ± 3.2 lbs (p ≤ 0.001) respectively, but not for any other variables under consideration. A greater percentage of initial weight loss was achieved on average by the telephonic coaching group of 6.5% than the control group of 5.9% after six months. However, a greater percentage of the control group (61%) achieved the 5-10% weight loss goal than the telephonic coaching group (44%) over six months. Conclusion: At the present time, this is the only study to evaluate the impact of a supplemental telephonic physical activity coaching program based on ALED to the services of a medical specialty care clinic for the purpose of treating obesity. However, the findings suggest that there is no significant impact when such a program is added to MNCOME for improvements in weight, body composition, and blood pressure over six months based on the number of obese participants of this trial.
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    Self-management patient education and weight loss.
    (2010-11) Stombaugh, Angela M.
    Self-management of a disease is defined as "having or being able to obtain, the skills and resources necessary to best accommodate to the chronic disease and its consequences" (Holman & Lorig, 1992, p. 309). Self-management has been used in the management of several chronic conditions and this model may be useful in the management of weight loss. This research explored the relationships amongst participation in a self-management weight loss program and weight change, patient activation, health distress, and behavioral change. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a self-management weight loss program and provide some insight into factors that may need to be addressed when designing a weight loss program. Participants completed a six-week weight loss program that consisted of three components: exercise, nutrition classes, and self-management classes. Weight, patient activation, health distress and goal setting behaviors were collected at the beginning of the program and at completion of the program. Participation in the program was statistically significant associated for weight loss, change in health distress, and change in patient activation. Although the self-management model has been useful in other chronic diseases, further exploration is needed to understand the role of the model in weight loss programs.