Effects of a Six Week Weight Loss Challenge on Body Composition and Cardiovascular Health: 751 Board #12 May 30 2 00 PM - 3 30 PM

Regular exercise and a healthy diet are associated with significant changes throughout the body including improved body composition and enhanced cardiovascular health. A local gym recruits individuals to participate in a six-week twenty pound weight loss challenge and provides participants with a structured diet and exercise plan. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a primarily weight loss driven program would also result in an improvement in body composition and enhance cardiovascular health. METHODS: Total weight, body fat, lean muscle mass, waist and hip circumference, resting metabolic rate (RMR), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TG), resting blood pressure (BP), and resting heart rate (RHR) were assessed before and after the six-week program in thirty four sedentary adults (Mage =38.24, SD=9.93). Subjects were required to participate in a vigorous boot camp program a minimum of five days per week for fifty minutes and follow a structured diet plan. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in total body weight following the six-week challenge (197.1 ± 7.76 lbs vs. 187.8 ± 7.16 lbs; P < 0.001). There was a decrease in body fat (38.6 ± 1.52% vs. 36.2 ± 1.52%; P < 0.001) as lean muscle mass increased (61.4 ± 1.52% vs. 63.8 ± 1.52%; P < 0.001). Participants successfully lost 1 inch off their waists and hips (P < 0.01). A significant decrease in TC (189.2 ± 6.81 mg/dL vs. 173.4 ± 6.65 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and LDL (115.0 ± 7.25 mg/dL vs. 107.0 ± 6.05 mg/dL, P < 0.05) were seen following the weight loss program. Unfortunately, neither RBP nor RHR were significantly altered by the program. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that this particular weight loss driven program is effective in significantly improving body composition and reducing TC and LDL. However, this program did not statistically improve resting metabolic rate or decrease resting cardiovascular measures. While this study emphasizes the health-related advantages of incorporating physical activity and a healthy diet into a sedentary lifestyle, further research can contribute to training specificity and the impact both cardiovascular and weight training have in junction with a structured weight loss program.