RELATION OF WEIGHT-LOSS TO CHANGES IN SERUM-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN OBESE WOMEN

Several reports have suggested that modest weight losses, as little as 10% of initial weight, are sufficient to control many of the health c omplications of obesity. This study examined the relation between chan ges in weight and those in serum lipids and lipoproteins in obese wome n who participated in a 48-wk weight-reduction study. Subjects were 66 obese women who were prescribed a 3870-kJ (925-kcal)/d diet for the f irst 16 wk and a balanced-deficit diet of 5029-6279 kJ (1200-1500 kcal )/d thereafter. Anthropometric measures were assessed at baseline and weeks 8, 24, and 48, as were serum triacylglycerols (triglycerides), t otal cholesterol, and low-density-lipoprotein- and high-density-lipopr otein-cholesterol concentrations. Weight decreased 11.1% during the fi rst 8 wk, during which time triacylglycerols and total cholesterol fel l 22.7% and 15.7%, respectively. Subjects lost an additional 4.7 kg (e qual to a total reduction of 16.4%) between weeks 8 and 24 but triacyl glycerols and total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol increased by 5.2%, 4.2%, and 4.5%, respectively during this time. Multiple-regre ssion analyses showed that at no time did weight loss account for > 6% of the variance in the reductions in triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations. These findings indicate that modest weight losses are associated with significant improvements in serum lipids, but that fac tors including the energy and macronutrient content of the diet prescr ibed contribute significantly to the improvements observed.