Open AccessModest Lifestyle Intervention and Glucose Tolerance in Obese African Americans
Author(s) -
Racette Susan B.,
Weiss Edward P.,
Obert Kathleen A.,
Kohrt Wendy M.,
Holloszy John O.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
obesity research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8528
pISSN - 1071-7323
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2001.45
Subject(s) - medicine , impaired glucose tolerance , body mass index , weight loss , obesity , glucose tolerance test , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , body weight , type 2 diabetes , insulin resistance
Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated the benefit of short‐term diets on glucose tolerance in obese individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of modest lifestyle changes in maintaining improvements in glucose tolerance induced by short‐term energy restriction in obese African Americans with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Research Methods and Procedures: An intervention group ( n = 45; 47 ± 1 year [mean ± SE]), 105 ± 4 kg; body mass index: 39 ± 1 kg/m 2 ) received an energy‐restricted diet (943 ± 26 kcal/d) for 1 week, followed by a lifestyle program of reduced dietary fat (−125 kcal/d) and increased physical activity (+125 kcal/d) for 1 year. Body weight and plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and C‐peptide during an oral glucose tolerance test were measured at baseline, 1‐week, and 4‐month intervals. A control group ( n = 24; 48 ± 1 year; 110 ± 5 kg; body mass index: 41 ± 2 kg/m 2 ) underwent these measurements at 4‐month intervals. Results: No changes in weight or glucose tolerance were observed in the control group. The intervention group had significant ( p < 0.05) improvements in body weight and glucose tolerance in response to the 1‐week diet, which persisted for 4 months ( p < 0.001 vs. control for change in weight). A total of 19 subjects (42%) continued the intervention program for 1 year, with sustained improvements (weight: −4.6 ± 1.0 kg; p < 0.001 vs. control; oral glucose tolerance test glucose area: −103 ± 44 mM · min; p < 0.05 vs. control). Discussion: A modest lifestyle program facilitates weight loss and enables improvements in glucose tolerance to be maintained in obese individuals with abnormal glucose tolerance. However, attrition was high, despite the mild nature of the program.