While commercial dietary weight-loss programs typically advise exercise, few provide actual programing. The goal of this study was to compare the Curves Complete 90-day Challenge (CC, n = 29), which incorporates exercising and diet, to programs advocating exercise (Weight Watchers Points Plus (WW, n = 29), Jenny Craig At Home (JC, n = 27), and Nutrisystem Advance Select (NS, n = 28)) or control (n = 20) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and weight loss. We randomized 133 sedentary, overweight women (age, 47 ± 11 years; body mass, 86 ± 14 kg; body mass index, 35 ± 6 kg/m 2 ) into respective treatment groups for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using chi square and general linear models adjusted for age and respective baseline measures. Data are means ± SD or mean change ± 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We observed a significant trend for a reduction in energy intake for all treatment groups and significant weight loss for all groups except control: CC (−4.32 kg; 95% CI, −5.75, −2.88), WW (−4.31 kg; 95% CI, −5.82, −2.96), JC (−5.34 kg; 95% CI, −6.86, −3.90), NS (−5.03 kg; 95% CI, −6.49, −3.56), and control (0.16 kg, 95% CI, −1.56, 1.89). Reduced MetS prevalence was observed at follow-up for CC (35% vs. 14%, adjusted standardized residuals (adjres.) = 3.1), but not WW (31% vs. 28% adjres. = 0.5), JC (37% vs. 42%, adjres. = −0.7), NS (39% vs. 50% adjres. = −1.5), or control (45% vs. 55% adjres. = −1.7). While all groups improved relative fitness (mL·kg −1 ·min −1 ) because of weight loss, only the CC group improved absolute fitness (L/min). In conclusion, commercial programs offering concurrent diet and exercise programming appear to offer greater improvements in MetS prevalence and cardiovascular function after 12 weeks of intervention.Key words: diet, exercise, metabolic syndrome.Résumé : Les programmes commerciaux de perte de poids recommandent généralement la pratique de l'exercice physique, mais peu offre une programmation réelle. Comparer sur les plans du syndrome métabolique (« MetS ») et de la perte de poids le programme Curves Complete 90-day Challenge (« CC », n = 29) qui incorpore une diète et des exercices physiques aux programmes qui recommandent l'exercice physique : Weight Watchers Points Plus (« WW », n = 29), Jenny Craig At Home (« JC », n = 27) et Nutrisystem Advance Select (« NS », n = 28) ou contrôle (n = 20). On répartit aléatoirement 133 femmes sédentaires et en surpoids (âge, 47 ± 11 ans; masse corporelle, 86 ± 14 kg; indice de masse corporelle, 35 ± 6 kg/m 2 ) dans les groupes de traitement respectif pour une période de 12 semaines. On effectue l'analyse du chi-carré et on utilise les modèles linéaires généraux ajustés à l'âge et aux mesures initiales respectives. Les données présentées sont la moyenne ± l'écart-type et la variation moyenne ± intervalle de confiance (IC) 95 %. Les résultats révèlent une tendance significative vers une diminution de l'apport énergétique dans tous les groupes de traitement et une perte de poids significative dans tous les groupes à l'exception du groupe de co...

A carbohydrate-restricted diet promoted more favorable changes in weight loss, fat loss, and markers of health in obese women who initiated an exercise program compared with a diet higher in carbohydrate. Additionally, obese women who initiated training and dieting with higher HOMA levels experienced greater reductions in blood glucose following an HP diet.

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BackgroundPhosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid found in cell membranes of most animals and plants. PS has been shown to reduce stress and increase performance in runners, cyclists and golfers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a PS containing formulation on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and after intense resistance exercise.Methods18 lower body, resistance trained, college aged males ingested 14 days of supplement (IQPLUS Focus, providing 400 mg of soy-derived PS) and a Placebo (PL), in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over manner. Following 14 days of supplementation, participants performed an acute bout of lower body resistance training. Mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS) and cognitive function (Serial Subtraction Test, SST) were measured prior to, 5 minutes after, and 60 minutes after exercise. Venous blood samples were collected prior to, and 5, 15, 25, 40 and 60 minutes after exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma cortisol and testosterone. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsPS supplementation significantly reduced the time needed for a correct calculation on the SST by 20% (reduced by 1.27 s per calculation; PL: 6.4 s, PS: 5.13 s; p = 0.001), and reduced the total amount of errors by 39% (PL: 1.28 + .69, PS: .78 + .27, p = 0.53), and increased the amount of correct calculations by 13% (PL: 22.1 + 2.24, PS: 24.9 + 1.52, p = 0.07) prior to or in response to exercise compared to PL. Following exercise, there was no difference in SST scores between PS and PL. There were no significant changes in regards to mood or endocrine response to exercise as a result of PS supplementation.ConclusionPS supplementation significantly increased cognitive function prior to exercise. Improved cognitive function could benefit athletes and non-athletes alike. PS did not appear to affect mood or endocrine response prior to or following resistance exercise.

To determine whether adherence to a repeating 30-d non-linear diet intervention while participating in a supervised exercise program that includes resistance-exercise would promote weight and fat loss without weight loss plateau and whether alterations in carbohydrate and protein intake may influence results.Methods: Fifty sedentary and obese pre-menopausal females (35.2±7.6 years; 88.7±18 kg, 32.6±6 kg/m 2 , 42.5±4.2% fat) were randomly assigned to an exercise-only (EX) or EX plus diets containing higher proportions of carbohydrate or protein. Diets were hypoenergetic for 30-d ( 7-d at 1,200 kcals/d, 21-d at 1,500 kcal/d), more isoenergetic for 30-d (2,200 kcals/d), and repeated three times during a 24-wk intervention. Diets were either 45:30:24 (HCD) or 30:45:25 (HPD) carbohydate:protein:fat. All participants performed 30-min resistance exercise (3 d/wk) and a brisk walking program (3 d/wk). Data were analyzed by general linear model (GLM) statistics with repeated measures and presented as mean changes from baseline (mean [UL, LL]).

42 sedentary women (33±7 yrs, 164±7 cm; 93±19 kg; 46±7% body fat, 35±6 kg/m2) were randomized to participate in the Curves (C) or Weight Watchers (W) weight loss programs for 16‐wks. Participants in the C program followed a 1,200 kcal/d diet for 1‐wk and 1,500 kcal/d diet for 3 wks (30:45 CHO:PRO). Subjects then ingested 2,000 kcals/d for 2‐wks (45:30 CHO:PRO) and repeated this diet while participating in the Curves with Zumba program 3‐d‐wk. Remaining subjects followed the W point‐based diet program, received weekly counseling, and were encouraged to exercise. DEXA body composition and REE measurements were obtained at 0, 4, 10, & 16 wks and analyzed by MANOVA. Subjects in both groups lost a similar amount of body weight (C −2.7±2.3, −4.9±3.8, −5.4±4.1; W −2.9±1.6, −5.7±2.9, −6.7±4.3 kg, p=0.31). However, subjects in the C group experienced significantly greater loss in fat mass (C −4.2±6.4, −4.8±6.2, −6.5±4.1; W 0.2±6, −1.0±7.3, −2.6±7.9 kg, qp=0.03) and reductions in percent body fat (C −3.3±6.3, −3.0±5.9, −4.8±6.7; W 1.1±6.7, 0.3±8.7, −1.0±8.3 %, qp=0.06) while FFM was increased in the C group and decreased in the W group (C 1.6±5.2, 0.1±4.8, 1.2±5.0; W −2.5±5.6, −3.7±6.5, −3.4±5.7 kg, p=0.02). REE values increased over time and were non‐significantly higher in the C group. Results indicate that participation in the C program promotes more favorable changes in body composition than participation in the W program.

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Aim: To compare the efficacy of two popular weight loss approaches on weight loss, body composition, and markers of health in sedentary obese women. Methods: In total, 51 sedentary women (age 34.5 ± 7.7 yrs; weight 90.0 ± 14.5 kg; BMI 34.0 ± 5.1 kg/m2; 46.5 ± 7.0% fat) were matched and randomized to participate in the Weight Watchers® Momentum™ (WW) or Curves® (CV) Fitness and Weight Management program for 16 weeks. Participants in the WW group (n = 27) were provided a point-based diet program, received weekly progress checks and counseling, and were encouraged to exercise. Participants in the CV group (n = 24) followed a menu-based higher protein/low-fat diet (1200 kcal/d) for 1 week; 1500 kcal/d diet for 3 weeks; and 2000–2500 kcals/d for 2 weeks that was repeated three times (except the last segment) while participating in a supervised circuit-style resistance training program (3 d/wk). A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures was used to analyze data and are presented as mean changes from baseline (mean [UL, LL]). Results: Supervised CV training resulted in greater amounts of vigorous and total physical activity. After 16 weeks, both groups lost weight (WW −6.1 [−7.8, −4.6], CV −4.9 [−6.2, −3.2] kg, p = 0.264). Participants in the CV group observed greater reductions in fat mass (WW −2.9 [−6.7, −0.2], CV −6.4 [−9.2, −3.6] kg, p = 0.081) and increases in lean mass (WW −2.5 [−4.3, −0.7], CV 1.3 [−0.6, 3.2] kg, p = 0.005) resulting in more favorable changes in percent body fat (WW −1.4 [−4.1, 1.2], CV −4.7 [−7.5, −1.8] %, p = 0.098). Both groups observed improvements in peak aerobic capacity and muscular endurance, although bench press lifting volume was greater in the CV group. Those in the CV group experienced a greater increase in HDLc and reduction in the CHL–HDLc ratio and triglycerides. Conclusion: Both interventions promoted weight loss and improvements in fitness and markers of health. The CV program, which included supervised resistance training and higher protein diet menus, promoted greater fat loss, increases in lean mass, and improvements in percent body fat and blood lipids. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, #NCT04372771, registered retrospectively 1 May 2020.