NCT00395356

Efficacy and Feasibility of an Intermittent Weight Loss Program.

Efficacy and Feasibility of an Intermittent Weight Loss Program: A Pilot Study.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (planned)
• Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 51 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of the study is to measure the effect of an approach including phases of active weight loss broken by weight stabilisation periods (named intermittent weight loss) on the metabolic profile. First, the intermittent weight loss approach will contribute to create an artificial transitory steady state during the weight loss treatment that will help to minimize the adverse effects of the standard approach on muscle mass and resting metabolic rate. Second, despite a comparable fat mass loss, the intermittent weight loss approach will improve the metabolic profile to a greater degree compared to the standard approach. Finally, the intermittent weight loss approach will be associated with less weight regain after the treatment since the beneficial effect on muscle mass and metabolic rate.

Detailed description

Excessive levels of body fat are associated with metabolic disturbances predictive of an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CAD). It is presently unclear as to the magnitude of weight loss needed to accrue metabolic benefits. Despite the effectiveness of weight loss to reduce obesity levels, studies have shown that only minor decreases in body weight (5-10%) are needed to clinically improve CAD risk factors. Our data suggested that a 10% reduction in body weight is as effective in improving the metabolic profile as a 20% decrease in body weight. Thus, the question are : " Is it possible to further improve the metabolic profile over that 5-10% weight loss threshold?" and "Could several 5-10% body weight loss (intermittent weight loss approach) have additive effects on the metabolic profile?". We would like to follow-up on these observation to better understand 1) the association between weight loss and improvements in the metabolic profile and 2) why minor decreases in body composition and body fat distribution are as effective as more important reduction.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	calorie controlled diet

Timeline

• Start date: 2005-09-01
• Completion: 2007-06-01
• First posted: 2006-11-02
• Last updated: 2006-11-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada