EFFECTS OF CHROMIUM PICOLINATE ON BODY-COMPOSITION

Objective. This study explored the efficacy of chromium picolinate as a fat-reduction aid for obese individuals enrolled in a physical exerc ise program. Experimental design. The study employed a double-blind, p lacebo-controlled protocol and lasted for 16 weeks. Setting, The physi cal conditioning programs were conducted on Navy bases (gymnasium, ath letic field, etc.) and met a minimum of three times per week for at le ast 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. Participants, Participants were he althy, active-duty Navy personnel (79 men, 16 women) who exceeded the Navy's percent body fat standards of 22% fat for men, 30% for women, M ean age was 30.3 years; racial distribution was 76% white, 16% black, and 8% other, Comparisons between the 95 study completers and the 109 dropouts revealed no significant differences in demographics or baseli ne percent body fat. Interventions. Bottles of capsules containing eit her 400 mu g chromium picolinate or a placebo were distributed to the designated individuals by their fitness program coordinator, Participa nts took one capsule per day and kept a log of their daily exercise ac tivities, They also completed a pre-post questionnaire concerning thei r health and lifestyle habits, Measures, Primary outcome measures were percent body fat, body weight, and lean body mass, Percent body fat w as computed from body circumference measurements and height, Analyses controlled for diet and exercise, Results, At the end of 16 weeks, the group as a whole had lost a small amount of weight and body fat, Howe ver, the chromium group failed to show a significantly greater reducti on in either percent body fat or body weight, or a greater increase in lean body mass, than did the placebo group, Conclusions. It was concl uded that chromium picolinate was ineffective in enhancing body fat re duction in this group and could not be recommended as an adjuvant to N avy weight-loss programs in general.