One-year effectiveness of two hypocaloric diets with different protein/carbohydrate ratios in weight loss and insulin resistance

Nutr Hosp. 2012 Nov-Dec;27(6):2093-101. doi: 10.3305/nh.2012.27.6.6133.

Abstract

Background: The maintenance of weight loss may be influenced by the distribution of macronutrients in the diet and insulin sensitivity.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the longterm effect of two hypocaloric diets with different protein/carbohydrate ratios in overweight and obese individuals either with insulin resistance (IR) or without insulin resistance (IS).

Design: Prospective, randomized, clinical intervention study. Forty patients were classified as IR/IS after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and then randomized to a diet with either 40% carbohydrate/30% protein/30% fat (diet A) or 55% carbohydrate/15% protein/30% fat (diet B).

Results: After one year of follow-up there was no difference in weight loss between diets A and B in each group, but the IS group maintained weight loss better than the IR group [-5.7 (3.9) vs. -0.6 (4.1); P = 0.04]. No differences were found in either Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) or other metabolic glucose parameters except lower insulin at 120 minutes with diet A [21.40 (8.30) vs. 71.40 (17.11); P = 0.02].

Conclusions: The hypocaloric diets with different protein/carbohydrate ratios produced similar changes in weight. Insulin resistance may play a negative role in maintaining weight loss.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Caloric Restriction / methods*
  • Diet
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Female
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Obesity / rehabilitation
  • Overweight / physiopathology
  • Overweight / rehabilitation
  • Prospective Studies
  • Weight Loss / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Insulin