The Effect of a Balanced Low-Calorie Diet and Slight Weight Loss on Body Image Score and Its Subscales

Background & objectives: Considering the high prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and its consequences, it is necessary to consider effective interventions to reduce it. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a balanced low calorie diet (BLCD) and slight weight loss on the body image score and its subscales. Methods: In this clinical trial, 74 apparently healthy, non-pregnant, non-lactating and nonmenopausal women (age range: 18-49 years with body mass index range: 27.5-40 kg/m) were selected using random sampling method from a nutrition clinic in their first visit in Ardabil city between November 2019 and February 2020. Data collection was done by Anthropometric measurements and multidimensional body self-relations questionnaire. The paired T-test was used to compare the changes during 4 week balanced low calorie diet intervention. BLCD was an individualized diet with an energy deficit of 500 calories of daily energy intake that was calculated from 3-day food records for every person. Results: After 4 weeks, BLCD resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.001), waist circumference (p=0.002), waist to height ratio (p=0.012), abdominal volume index (p=0.009) and conicity index (p=0.045) and a significant increase in the subscale scores of fitness evaluation (p=0.01), health orientation (p=0.03), body area satisfaction (p=0.01) and overweight preoccupation (p=0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that even slight weight loss with a balanced low-calorie diet can be effective in improving anthropometric indices and some subscales of body image in 4 weeks. These results support the effectiveness of short-term interventions.