Obesity Abstracts

Background: To determine the effect of plant- based diets on body composition, blood glucose and cholesterol.

Methods: 10 females (BMI 30.5±3.7; age 39±6; weight 86 kg ±14.4) enrolled in a 6 week nutritional education programme. Participants were active prior to and during the study. Participants completed an initial reset which eliminated all refined sugar, heavily processed foods, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, meat and fish from the diet. All foods could then be reintroduced into the diet. Participants were provided with an ABC model of eating. Participants recorded a food diary prior to the study and during the 6 week period. Participants attended weekly 1.5 h meetings for 6 weeks and were added to a social network support site for 24 h support. Baseline BMI, body composition, WC, BG, TC, LDL and HDL were all measured and again at 6 weeks.

Results: Using a paired samples t-test, at the 6 week point both body weight (86 kg vs 82 kg, P=0.00) and BMI decreased (30.5 vs 29.2, P=0.00). Waist circumference (97 cm vs 93 cm, P=0.01) and body fat % (36% vs 33%, P=0.01) were also reduced. Blood glucose also reduced after the 6 week dietary intervention (5.19 mmol/l vs 50.1, P=0.02) and there was a trend for both total cholesterol (5.4 mmol/l vs 5.3 mmol/l, P=0.24) and LDl cholesterol (3.08 mmol/l vs 2.88 mmol/l, P=0.16) to be reduced, whilst an increased in HDL was observed (1.68 mmol/l vs 1.72 mmol/l, P=0.31).

Conclusion: Adoption of a plant based diet was associated with significant weight loss and changes in body composition in females of varying weights and age. This is despite an absence of prescribed restrictions on energy intake and food choice. Analysis of the 6 week dietary intervention data revealed a dietary composition of 40% carbohydrates, 40% fats and 20% protein to be successful in achieving these changes in body composition and blood glucose levels. Therefore, the adoption of a plant-based dietary approach appears to be beneficial for weight loss, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, however, longer-term trials are needed to explore these conclusions further.