Effects of High-Dairy Versus Low-Dairy, High-Protein and Low-Calorie Diets Combined With Aerobic Exercise on Central Body Fat in Overweight Women: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial Publisher



Bodaghabadi Z¹ ; Ostad Mohammadi L² ; Halabchi F² ; Tavakol Z² ; Kluzek S³ ; Rajabian Tabesh M² ; Abolhasani M⁴ ; Alizadeh Z^{1, 2} Show Affiliations
Source: Obesity Medicine Published:2023

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is one of the most concerning public health issues, and it is known as a predisposing factor for many chronic cardiometabolic diseases. Overweight individuals should be included in preventative interventions. Combining a high-dairy, high-Protein and low-calorie diet might help reduce appetite and body weight more effectively. We aimed to assess whether this approach, coupled with moderate-intensity aerobic activity, would be more effective in helping overweight women reduce central fat accumulation than a low-dairy diet, high in protein and low in calories. Methods: This randomized clinical trial recruited young overweight women aged 20–45-year-old, and compared one of two 700 Kcal restricted diet management options: intervention group with a high protein with high amounts of dairy products and 40 g of casein supplement or control group with a high protein, low-dairy diet for two weeks. In addition, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise was individually determined and prescribed for both intervention and control groups. The primary outcomes were a change in abdominal and suprailiac skinfold thickness. The secondary outcomes were body weight; BMI; waist and hip circumferences measured before the trial and after two weeks. Our analysis was based on both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol principles. This trial was registered with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IRCT20201102049229N1). Results: Between the 20th of January 2021 and the 18th of March 2021, 60 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. Forty-seven of them (78%) completed the study. The mean drop in abdominal and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses was −4.82 mm and −3.22 mm, respectively, in the dairy group and −2.83 mm and −2.00, respectively, in the non-dairy group. The adjusted mean difference was −1.99 (95% CI: 0.49–3.48; p = 0.005) in abdominal skinfold thickness and −1.22 (95% CI: 0.06–2.38; p = 0.017) in suprailiac skinfold thickness in favour of the high-dairy group. All other secondary outcomes, including waist circumferences, hip circumference, Mean Body Fat, Percentage Body Fat, Soft Lean Mass, Body Mass Index, Fat Mass Index, and Fat-Free Mass Index, showed significant changes (p < 0.05) in the intervention group. Conclusion: High-dairy, low-calorie diet is more effective than a high-protein, low-calorie diet in weight and body fat reduction, particularly central fat, in overweight young adult women. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd