EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ABDOMINAL OBESITY REDUCTION PROGRAM IN MEN - THE GUTBUSTER WAIST LOSS PROGRAM

OBJECTIVE: To examine the long term (1-2 year), as well as immediate e ffectiveness of a 'waist loss' programme for men. DESIGN: Two prelimin ary studies are reported; one following a small group of 42 men over t wo years after a 6 week 'GutBuster' course, the second following men f or 1 year after having completed the initial 6 week programme (n = 83) , or the initial course plus an additional six fortnightly 'advanced' course (n = 37). MEASUREMENTS : Waist, hip and weight measures were re ported for the 2 year group; waist and hip only in study 2. Dietary fa t, exercise and alcohol intake were also recorded in study 2 through t he use of questionnaires. The goal for the initial course was a 1% wai st loss per week. RESULTS : All groups achieved an average waist loss > 1%/week during the initial programme. Waist sizes reported in study 1 were significantly less after 2 years (t = 8.28; p < 0.001) averagin g a 6% loss in the group. This equated with an average weight loss of 5.5 kg. A repeated measures ANOVA also showed a significant main effec t (F = 85.35; p < 0.0001) for waist losses and an interaction effect ( F = 16.53; p < 0.0001) between initial and advanced groups after 1 yea r in study 2. Average waist losses were 4% and 10% respectively. There were also significant changes in dietary fat intake, exercise and alc ohol consumption. CONCLUSION: Reductions in waist size in men appear t o be more feasible than weight losses in women. 'Waist loss' may also be a more valid measure of fat loss in men that body mass measures.