High Protein Diets More Effective
At Maintaining Weight Loss
Higher protein diets are more effective at maintaining
weight loss in overweight people who previously
lost weight on very low-energy diets.
Dr Manuela Lejeune, of the University of Maastricht
in the Netherlands, presented study findings at
the European Congress of Obesity, being held here.
One hundred and twenty subjects who lost an average
of 6 kg in 4 weeks while following a very low-energy
diet were then randomized to follow either a moderately
restricted diet (control group), or a diet similar
in calories but higher in protein content (study
group). The initial weight loss on the very low-calorie
diet was equivalent to a mean loss of 7.5% of
initial body weight.
The high protein group followed a similar diet
but also received a drink containing 48.2g/day
protein, resulting in an additional 30g of protein
per day, when checked by objective nitrogen balance
techniques. The high-protein drink was a partial
replacement for lunch.
Those on the high protein diet regained a mean
0.8 kg in the 6 months after the initial weight
loss, compared to 3.0 kg regained on the control
diet. The difference was statistically significant.
Body mass regain in patients on the high protein
diet was of fat-free mass, Dr. Lejeune said.
The control diet provided 15% of its energy as
protein, while 18% of the higher protein diet
by energy was protein.
The subjects, well matched at baseline, also
showed a difference in waist circumference at
the end of the 6-month study period. Those on
the high-protein diet lost an average 1.2 cm around
the waist, compared to a gain of 0.5 cm for those
on the control diet.
Similarly, those on the high-protein diet reported
high feelings of satiety than did the control
group, and they had a higher respiratory quotient.
There were no statistically significant differences
between the 2 groups in blood test results, physical
activity or fat free mass.
Dr Lejeune concluded: "Despite no differences
in attitudes to eating, a protein intake of 18%
as energy versus 15% as energy resulted in improved
weight maintenance, as well as improved fat distribution
based on body waist circumference, and improved
substrate oxidation and satiety."
She explained: "In the short term, weight
loss is often successful, but weight maintenance
in the long term is more difficult. Additional
protein intake may contribute to the storage of
fat free mass, may increase satiety and have a
lower energy storage efficiency during overfeeding.
The result may be that higher protein diets have
a higher cost of weight gain."
In answer to questions from the floor of the
congress, Dr Lejeune said that the patients in
the control group had not received a lunchtime
drink and acknowledged that this left open the
possibility that some of the difference between
the two groups could be accounted for by the placebo
effect.
[ECO: Study title: Additional protein intake
limits weight gain after weight loss in humans.
Abstract t4:02]
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