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Changes in body composition and C‐reactive protein in overweight, lactating women (247.8)
Author(s) -
Shearer Elyse,
Wideman Laurie,
Lovelady Cheryl
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.247.8
Subject(s) - overweight , c reactive protein , breastfeeding , medicine , waist , weight loss , obesity , abdominal obesity , endocrinology , abdominal fat , zoology , inflammation , biology , pediatrics
Obesity has been linked with elevation of the inflammatory protein, C‐reactive protein (CRP), which increases risk of developing chronic disease. CRP levels less than 1.0 mg/L are associated with a low risk, 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L medium risk, and greater than 3.0 mg/L high risk. Weight loss, specifically loss of abdominal fat, may decrease CRP. Breastfeeding may help reduce CRP. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of weight loss on inflammation in 20 overweight, fully breastfeeding women. Weight, height, waist circumference, and body composition (determined by DXA) were measured at 4 and 20 weeks postpartum. Serum samples were obtained, and concentrations of CRP were measured by ELISA. There was an average (range) loss of weight of ‐4.7 kg (2.8 to ‐11.6 kg), fat mass of ‐4.69 kg (0.45 to ‐13.3 kg), and trunk fat of ‐2.89 kg (0.27 to ‐7.3 kg). There was a non‐significant decrease in CRP from 3.99 to 3.04 mg/L, with 2 participants moving from high to medium risk, and 2 moving from medium to low risk. There was a significant positive association between change in trunk fat and change in CRP (R2=0.20). Also, weight (R2=0.19), fat mass (R2=0.19), and trunk fat (R2=0.24) were significantly positively associated with CRP at endpoint. These results suggest that loss of abdominal fat is associated with a significant reduction of CRP in overweight, fully breastfeeding women and may reduce their risk for chronic disease.