This interventional study explores the relationship between improvements in metabolic health following weight loss and changes in whole-body fat mass and its distribution. The study focuses on adult men and women with excess body weight undergoing dietary energy restriction over 12 weeks. The primary research question is: Does a greater reduction in fat mass for a given weight loss correlate with more significant improvements in metabolic health?
Obesity is a well-established risk factor for disruptions in metabolic health, which often precede cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. While the precise pathophysiological mechanisms linking obesity to these conditions remain unclear, it is widely acknowledged that an increase in fat mass plays a central role, including the expansion of adipose tissue and the accumulation of lipids in non-adipose tissues. As a result, a primary approach to improving metabolic health is to reduce fat mass through negative energy balance. However, lifestyle changes or pharmacological interventions aimed at inducing a negative energy balance do not exclusively target fat mass and often result in the loss of fat-free mass to varying degrees. Given that higher fat mass, rather than fat-free mass, is more strongly associated with impaired metabolic health, strategies that maximize fat mass loss while preserving fat-free mass may offer more significant benefits for metabolic health. Surprisingly, there is a lack of evidence to support this hypothesis. To address this gap, it will be evaluated the relationship between changes in metabolic health and body composition, independent of overall weight loss, in individuals with overweight or obesity undergoing dietary energy restriction. It is hypothesized that greater fat mass reduction will be linked to more substantial improvements in metabolic health for a given weight loss.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
74
Individuals will be prescribed a hypocaloric diet (1300 kcal/d). Individuals will receive a booklet detailing the type of meals and foods to be consumed in each mealtime. A dietitian will explain how to enhance dietary compliance. Every two weeks, body weight, vital signs, and adverse events will be monitored. In addition, food recalls will be conducted in order to optimize dietary energy restriction compliance. During weight maintenance, energy intake will be adjusted to energy requirements to maintain weight stability (±2.5 kg) for at least 3 weeks. During weight loss and maintenance, participants will be instructed to maintain their customary physical activity.
Avda. Libertador Bernardo O´Higgins 340. Santiago. Chile.
Santiago, Chile
Fasting serum triglyceride concentration
In overnight fasted individuals, a blood sample will be drawn. Serum will be isolated and stored at -80C until assessment.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of weight maintenance period at 15-20 weeks
HOMA-IR
In overnight fasted individuals, a blood sample will be drawn for glucose and insulin assessment. HOMA-IR will be calculated using this formula: (glucose, mM \* insulin, uU/mL)/22.5. Serum/Plasma will be isolated and stored at -80C until assessment.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of weight maintenance period at 15-20 weeks.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.