Fiber Intake Predicts Weight Loss and Dietary Adherence in Adults Consuming Calorie-Restricted Diets: The POUNDS Lost (Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies) Study

Abstract

Background The effects of dietary composition on weight loss are incompletely understood. In addition to energy intake, fiber intake, energy density, macronutrient composition, and demographic characteristics have all been suggested to contribute to weight loss. Objective The primary aim of this analysis was to assess the role of dietary fiber as a predictor of weight loss in participants who consumed calorie-restricted diets (−750 kcal/d from estimated energy needs) for 6 mo, using data from the POUNDS Lost (Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies) Study—a randomized trial that examined the effects of calorie-restricted diets varying in macronutrient composition on weight loss in adults. Methods Data were randomly partitioned to a training data set (70%) in which the effects of fiber and other weight-loss predictors were identified using adjusted Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and model averaging. The retained predictors were then fit on the testing data set to assess predictive performance. Results Three hundred and forty-five participants (53.9% female) provided dietary records at baseline and 6 mo. Mean ± SD age and BMI for the full sample was 52.5 ± 8.7 y and 32.6 ± 3.9 kg/m2, respectively. Mean ± SD (99% CI) weight change at 6 mo for the full sample was −7.27 ± 5.6 kg (−8.05, −6.48 kg). The final, best fit model (R2 = 0.41) included fiber, energy density, fat, age, adherence, baseline weight, race, and changes from baseline in carbohydrate, fiber, PUFA, and MUFA intake, but the most influential predictor was fiber intake ($\hat{\beta }$ = −0.37; P < 0.0001). In addition, fiber was strongly associated with adherence to the macronutrient prescriptions (P < 0.0001). Interactions between race and adherence, age, baseline weight, carbohydrate, energy density, and MUFAs were also retained in the final model. Conclusion Dietary fiber intake, independently of macronutrient and caloric intake, promotes weight loss and dietary adherence in adults with overweight or obesity consuming a calorie-restricted diet. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00072995.

Predictors of successful weight loss outcomes amongst individuals with obesity undergoing lifestyle interventions: A systematic review

“…Out of the 23 studies selected, 14 were secondary analysis of randomized control trials, 8,10,11,13–17,20,24–27,30 nine were intervention studies 9,12,18,23,28,29 and three were cohort studies 19,21,22 …”

The Health Benefits of Dietary Fibre

“…In a separate systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the effects of viscous fibre ingestion on body weight and composition from 62 trials and 3877 participants, there was a similar significant association with weight loss of −0.33 kg [ 27 ]. Finally, in the ‘Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies’ (POUNDS Lost) study, in 345 participants who consumed a calorie-restricted diet (−750 kcal per day) for 6 months, the most successful predictor of reduction in body weight from a variety of anthropometric and dietary factors was intake of dietary fibre [ 28 ]. Furthermore, dietary fibre was also strongly associated with adherence to the macronutrient prescriptions within the calorie-restricted diets [ 28 ].…”

“…Finally, in the ‘Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies’ (POUNDS Lost) study, in 345 participants who consumed a calorie-restricted diet (−750 kcal per day) for 6 months, the most successful predictor of reduction in body weight from a variety of anthropometric and dietary factors was intake of dietary fibre [ 28 ]. Furthermore, dietary fibre was also strongly associated with adherence to the macronutrient prescriptions within the calorie-restricted diets [ 28 ].…”

A Comprehensive Critical Assessment of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Intake on Weight Loss in Women

“…FV, including legumes and soy products, provide the majority of fiber in recommended healthy diets followed by whole grains and nuts ( Table 1 ). The POUNDS Lost (Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies) study, a randomized trial in 345 adults (54% women; age 5, BMI of 33) found that of all the dietary predictors, fiber had the strongest association with weight loss with an average increase of 3.7 g/day from baseline, lowering weight by −1.4 kg over six months with no significant interactions between fiber intake and diet type, or sex [ 80 ]. In an RCT, 327 young overweight and obese women (mean age 34 years) had a significant increase in daily consumption of fiber by 3.2 g/day, FV by 51.4 g/day, and a decreased intake of meat products, total dietary fat, total energy, and refined carbohydrates [ 81 ].…”