Open AccessRegional Subcutaneous‐Fat Loss Induced by Caloric Restriction in Obese Women
Author(s) -
Wang Jack,
Laferrère Blandine,
Thornton John C.,
Pierson Richard N.,
PiSunyer F. Xavier
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
obesity research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8528
pISSN - 1071-7323
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2002.121
Subject(s) - caloric theory , medicine , subcutaneous fat , weight loss , obesity , caloric intake , endocrinology , adipose tissue
Objective: With anthropometric models using skinfolds and circumferences, we studied changes in the percentage of subcutaneous fat in the total cross‐sectional area (SF%) at four body sites in obese women, before and after weight loss induced by 6 months of caloric restriction. Research Methods and Procedures: In 61 obese women [31 African Americans and 30 whites; ages, 24 to 68 years; body mass index (BMI), ≥28kg/m 2 ], we measured SF% at the midpoint of the upper arm and thigh and the waistline and hipline, and we measured the percentage of total body fat by DXA before (Obs#1) and after (Obs#2) a 6‐month nonintervention control period and then after 6 months on a 1200 kcal/d diet (Obs#3). Results: The mean body weight and BMI increased (1.8 kg and 0.61 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.0001), but there were no significant changes in any other body composition measurements from Obs#1 to Obs#2. The means of Obs#3 for weight and BMI decreased by 11%, and the percentage of total body fat decreased by 13% of Obs#2 mean values ( p = 0.0001). The mean SF% at each site decreased 7.6% to 18.0% of the Obs#2 mean values ( p < 0.001). The SF% decreases were greater at mid‐arm and mid‐thigh than in the cross‐sectional regions at the waistline and hipline ( p = 0.05). There was no interaction between age or ethnicity ( p > 0.2). Conclusions: In obese women, caloric restriction alone reduces anthropometrically measured subcutaneous fat proportionally more in peripheral than in central regions.