Protein Quality, Glycemic and Metabolic Indices and Anthropometric Features Among Overweight and Obese Adults.

Background: Various studies have shown an inverse relationship between the quality of protein intake based on essential amino acids (EAAs) with obesity and its complications. We assumed that increasing EAAs-based protein intake quality improves glycemic and metabolic markers and anthropometric measurements in obese and overweight people.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 180 obese and overweight participants aged 18 to 35. Dietary information was obtained using an 80-item food frequency questionnaire. The total intake of EAAs was calculated using the United States department of agriculture (USDA) database. Quality protein was defined as the ratio of EAAs (gr) to total dietary protein (gr). Sociodemographic status, physical activity (PA), and anthropometric characteristics were evaluated using a valid and reliable method. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tests adjusted for sex, PA, age, energy, and body mass index (BMI) were used to measure this association.

Results: Protein quality intake was highest among the group with the lowest weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and fat mass (FM); and on the other hand, the fat-free mass (FFM) has increased; also Increasing the quality of protein intake improved the lipid profile and some glycemic indices and insulin sensitivity, although this association was not significant.

Conclusions: Increasing the quality of protein intake significantly improved anthropometric measurements, and also improved some glycemic and metabolic indices although, their relationship was not significant.