Weight loss maintenance in overweight subjects on ad libitum diets with high or low protein content and glycemic index: the DIOGENES trial 12-months results

E E J G Aller, Thomas Meinert Larsen, Claus Holst, A Karin Lindroos, A Kafatos, A Pfeiffer, J A Martinez, T Handjieva-Darlenska, M Kunesova, Steen Stender, W H M Saris, Arne Astrup, M A van Baak

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background:A high dietary protein (P) content and low glycemic index (LGI) have been suggested to be beneficial for weight management, but long-term studies are scarce.Objective:The DIOGENES randomized clinical trial investigated the effect of P and GI on weight loss maintenance in overweight or obese adults in eight centers across Europe. This study reports the 1-year results in two of the centers that extended the intervention to 1 year.Method:After an 8-week low-calorie diet (LCD), 256 adults (body mass index >27 kg m-2) were randomized to five ad libitum diets for 12 months: high P/LGI (HP/LGI), HP/high GI (HP/HGI), low P/LGI (LP/LGI), LP/HGI and a control diet. During the first 6 months, foods were provided for free through a shop system and during the whole 12-month period, subjects received guidance by a dietician. Primary outcome variable was the change in body weight over the 12-month intervention period.Results:During the LCD period, subjects lost 11.2 (10.8, 12.0) kg (mean (95% confidence interval (CI))). Average weight regain over the 12-month intervention period was 3.9 (95% CI 3.0-4.8) kg. Subjects on the HP diets regained less weight than subjects on the LP diets. The difference in weight regain after 1 year was 2.0 (0.4, 3.6) kg (P=0.017) (completers analysis, N=139) or 2.8 (1.4, 4.1) kg (P<0.001) (intention-to-treat analysis, N=256). No consistent effect of GI on weight regain was found. There were no clinically relevant differences in changes in cardiometabolic risk factors among diet groups.Conclusion:A higher protein content of an ad libitum diet improves weight loss maintenance in overweight and obese adults over 12 months.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Obesity
Volume38
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)1511-1517
Number of pages7
ISSN0307-0565
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Dec 2014

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