Improvement of weight and body composition in a group of women through a weight management program using food supplements with or without a hypocaloric diet

Abstract

Overweight is an increasing health problem characterised as a higher than normal body weight due to an abnormal increase in body fat. Body weight adequacy is categorized by using body mass index (BMI), however other parameters such as fat mass (FM), waist circumference (Wci) or waist to hip ratio, are relevant. Ideally, body composition should be calculated initially to evaluate changes during a dietary intervention of weight loss. Hunger experience is another parameter to take into account. The aim of this study was to assess the improvement of weight and body composition through the use of food supplements to control hunger, with and without a hypocaloric diet prescription. 252 women who wanted to lose weight were recruited in the program and splitted into two groups and were monitored for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measures (weight, height, body mass index, fat mass, waist and hip circumference) were taken. The mean age was of 36.84±7.29 and most of them were within overweight or obesity values for BMI, FM, Wci and hip circumference. After 8 weeks, both groups got significant results, achieving not only weight loss but also reduction in body mass index, fat mass, and waist and hip circumferences. However, as expected, improvements were better in FS+diet than in FS group. There is a need to tackle overweight and obesity individually, taking into account the personal characteristics of the patient. Food supplements may be useful to manage hunger and professional individualised assessment is critical to succeed.