Effects of different nutritional interventions on abdominal adiposity components and metabolic parameters

Objectives

To measure the effects of different nutritional interventions on abdominal adipose components and metabolic parameters.

Methods

A randomized clinical trial.We included individuals aged 20 years and older with excess weight (i.e., body mass index, ≥BMI, of 25 kg/m² for adults; and ≥ 27 kg/m² for older adults). Participants were stratified into three intervention groups: Group 1: Caloric restriction with balanced macronutrient distribution. Group 2: Caloric and carbohydrate restrictions. Group 3: Caloric and lipid restrictions. An active control group (Group 4) received nutritional counseling only. Visceral and subcutaneous adiposity (VAT and SAT) The compartments were measured using ultrasound. Anthropometric, clinical, sociodemographic, and behavioral data were included in the predictive models.

Results

A total of 105 participants completed the study. At baseline (T0), all groups were comparable in physical activity status, BMI, waist circumference (WC), VAT, and SAT. Group 2 reported a higher caloric intake, compared to Groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.020). Postintervention, all groups demonstrated reductions in weight, BMI, and WC (P < 0.05). Only Groups 1 and 2 achieved significant reductions in VAT (P < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in SAT (P > 0.05). VAT reduction varied from 0.6% (control group) to 9.0% (Group 2), although differences between groups were not significant (P = 0.202). Serum glucose and lipid levels were similar across all groups (T0, P > 0.05), and no intervention changed these metabolic parameters (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

After three months, we observed minimal differences in weight loss across the different nutritional strategies, suggesting that nutritional counseling and/or specific dietary protocols can effectively promote weight reduction.