The effect of nutritional intervention and physical activities on weight reduction

Background: Overweight and obesity increasing world wide because of changing life style and dietary habits. Diet therapy plays an important role to prevent obesity outcomes. The aim of this study was determining the effects of diet therapy on weight reduction and fitness.

Methods: A clinical trial study was conducted using convenient sampling method and 216 subjects (190 female and 26 male) were recruited using BMI > 27 cut-off. After primary examinations all subjects received a low calorie diet for six months. Weight, height, BMI, percent of body fat, fat free mass and total body water were determined and body composition were measured and recorded following six months nutritional intervention. Data was analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA.

Results: The mean age of participants was 37.5+12.1 in women and 38.18+15.3 year in men. There was significant weight reduction between admission and six months after treatment 84.7+17.9 vs. 77.3+3.2kg (p<0.003). Significantly decrease in BMI before and after six months intervention 31.7+5.6 vs. 28.5+4.4 (p<0.003) was observed. The study showed more than 10% weight reduction after six months diet therapy (p<0.01).

Conclusion: The study confirmed the effect of low calorie diet on weight reduction both in male and female which may reduce cardio vascular disease risk factors. Increasing public knowledge about healthy eating, weight management and obesity side effects as well as referring high-risk subjects to nutritionists for treatment highly recommended.