Weight loss is correlated with an improved lipoprotein profile in obese postmenopausal women

Background: Changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein distributions that occu r after menopause increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, esp ecially in those who are overweight. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nine-m onth weight reduction program on plasma lipids, dietary intake and abdomina l fat obesity. Design: A partial crossover design was used to study a weight loss treatmen t consisting of Phentermine hydrochloride (Fastin(R), SmithKline Beecham Ph armaceuticals, Philadelphia, PA) therapy plus a low energy diet (5040 kJ/d) . Forty-seven obese, postmenopausal Caucasian women (BMI of 30-38 kg/m(2)) were randomized into two groups, both of which received drug and diet treat ment over six months. However, Group I started the intervention program thr ee months later than Group II. Plasma total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and tr iacylglycerol were measured, body composition was assessed by anthropometry and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and food frequency records were coll ected at four timepoints. Results: Over nine months, women in Group II reduced body weight (14.4%), l owered plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol (14% to 26%) and triacylgly cerol (15%) and raised plasma HDL cholesterol concentration (15%). These pl asma lipid changes decreased the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio fr om 4.3 to 3.2. All subjects decreased abdominal fat measurements and energy and cholesterol intakes, as well as percentage of energy derived from tota l and saturated fat during the study. Most subjects also increased dietary fiber consumption. Conclusion: Both weight loss and diet modifications are associated with an improved plasma lipid profile in obese postmenopausal women.