Eating behaviors and weight loss outcomes in a 12-month randomized trial of diet and/or exercise intervention in postmenopausal women

Abstract

BackgroundCertain eating behaviors are common among women with obesity. Whether these behaviors influence outcomes in weight loss programs, and whether such programs affect eating behaviors, is unclear.MethodsOur aim was to examine the effect of baseline eating behaviors on intervention adherence and weight among postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, and to assess intervention effects on eating behaviors.Four hundred and 39 women (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were randomized to 12 months of: i) dietary weight loss with a 10% weight loss goal (‘diet’; n = 118); ii) moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for 225 mins/week (‘exercise’; n = 117); iii) combined dietary weight loss and exercise (‘diet + exercise’; n = 117); or iv) no-lifestyle change control (n = 87). At baseline and 12 months, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating and binge eating were measured by questionnaire; weight and body composition were assessed. The mean change in eating behavior scores and weight between baseline and 12 months in the diet, exercise, and diet + exercise arms were each compared to controls using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) modification of linear regression adjusted for age, baseline BMI, and race/ethnicity.ResultsBaseline restrained eating was positively associated with change in total calories and calories from fat during the dietary intervention but not with other measures of adherence. Higher baseline restrained eating was associated with greater 12-month reductions in weight, waist circumference, body fat and lean mass. Women randomized to dietary intervention had significant reductions in binge eating (− 23.7%, p = 0.005 vs. control), uncontrolled eating (− 24.3%, p < 0.001 vs. control), and emotional eating (− 31.7%, p < 0.001 vs. control) scores, and a significant increase in restrained eating (+ 60.6%, p < 0.001 vs. control); women randomized to diet + exercise reported less uncontrolled eating (− 26.0%, p < 0.001 vs. control) and emotional eating (− 22.0%, p = 0.004 vs. control), and increased restrained eating (+ 41.4%, p < 0.001 vs. control). Women randomized to exercise alone had no significant change in eating behavior scores compared to controls.ConclusionsA dietary weight loss intervention helped women modify eating behaviors. Future research should investigate optimal behavioral weight loss interventions for women with both disordered eating and obesity.Trial registrationNCT00470119 (https://clinicaltrials.gov). Retrospectively registered May 7, 2007.

Effect of exercise training interventions on energy intake and appetite control in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…6,7,37,47,66 Fourth, at the time of peer-review, the search had been over a year old and three new studies were identified. [87][88][89] The findings are briefly reported here.…”

“…87 Mason et al found no changes in eating behavior traits relating to binge eating, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, and restrained eating after 12 months of aerobic exercise training in postmenopausal women. 88 And Paravidino et al showed that during 2 weeks of moderate-intensity, vigorous-intensity, or no-exercise control in Brazilian Naval Academy cadets with overweight, changes in self-reported energy intake were not different among groups nor were there any changes in appetite sensations taken before and after an ad libitum cafeteria breakfast. 89 A final issue concerns the methodology of meta-analyses.…”

A systematic review of binge eating, loss of control eating, and weight loss in children and adolescents

“…Most nonsurgical interventions did not assess this relationship, but research with adults illustrates that this association may be significant. Multiple studies have found that adults with overweight who reported greater decrease in BE following nonsurgical weight‐loss interventions were more successful than adults who had less significant change in BE (57,65).…”

Efficacy and safety of phytoestrogens in the treatment of postmenopausal depressive disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The postmenopausal women in Europe had the best depressive remission among the five continents. As the dietary habits of the women in various countries are different, such as the preferable diet of having soy products in Japan and Korea may cause an effect on the results of the phytoestrogens 49 . Additionally, considering the ethnic diversity in different regions, more experiments are needed to explore the specific conclusions.…”