Changes in body composition over 8 years in a randomized trial of a lifestyle intervention: the look AHEAD study

Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Mar;23(3):565-72. doi: 10.1002/oby.21005.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention versus a comparison group on body composition in obese or overweight persons with type 2 diabetes at baseline and at 1, 4, and 8 years.

Methods: Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a subset of 1019 Look AHEAD study volunteers randomized to intervention or comparison groups. The intervention was designed to achieve and maintain ≥7% weight loss through increased physical activity and reduced caloric intake. The comparison group received social support and diabetes education.

Results: At 1 year, the intervention group lost fat (5.6 ± 0.2 kg) and lean mass (2.3 ± 0.1 kg) but regained fat (∼100%) and lost lean mass between years 1 and 8. Between baseline and year 8, weight loss was greater in intervention versus comparison groups (4.0 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4 kg); comparison group weight loss was mostly lean mass (2.1 ± 0.17 kg). Fat mass in the intervention group was lower than that of the comparison group at all post-baseline time points.

Conclusions: Reduced fat mass may place the intervention group at a lower risk of obesity-linked sequelae, a hypothesis that can be tested by future studies of this cohort.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00017953.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Aged
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Body Composition*
  • Caloric Restriction
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Overweight / complications
  • Overweight / metabolism
  • Overweight / therapy*
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Reduction Programs / methods*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00017953

Grants and funding