Use of Self-Reported Data to Determine the Effect of Nutrient-Dense Meals on Body Weight and Quality of Life

Abstract

Seventy percent of the United States population is overweight or obese, which increases the risk of chronic conditions and premature death. Strategies for losing weight have so far proved unsuccessful, and compounding the problem is that funding for clinical nutritional research studies is limited. Food companies can fund clinical studies, supervised by nutritional researchers. Herein is such a study where a food company’s customers were provided five, free, portion-controlled, nutrient-dense meals each day for 15 days to help improve their diet quality and lose weight. In exchange, participants completed data collection forms and posted video and comments on social media. Both normal weight (n=46) and overweight and obese subjects (n=97) participated. Subjects consumed four to five of the nutrient-dense meals, which contributed about 1,250 kcal daily and about 140%-165% of the Daily Value for all vitamins and minerals, except sodium. In addition, they consumed other foods adding another 250-300 kcal. The group lost a significant amount of weight (1.5 ± 4.5 kg; P<0.0001). After 15 days, more than 60% of the participants reported feeling better, having better sleep, and having more energy. In the subgroup of overweight and obese subjects, weight loss was 2 ± 2 kg in the overweight group (P<0.001) and for obese subjects, it was 2 ± 7 kg (P<0.01). Of this group, 17 lost at least 5% body weight, which is medically significant. Waist circumference decreased significantly for overweight women (P<0.001), overweight men (P=0.005), and obese men (P<0.0001). Waist circumference normalized in 12 individuals, indicating a reduction in the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that nutrient-dense meals, promote weight loss and improve health. Spontaneous energy-restriction occurred without hunger by consuming nutrient-dense foods. Weight loss strategies of the future may focus on nutrient-counting rather than calorie-counting.