Effectiveness of an abdominal obesity reduction programme in men: the GutBuster "waist loss' programme.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the long term (1-2 year), as well as immediate effectiveness of a "waist loss' programme for men.


METHODS
Two preliminary studies are reported; one following a small group of 42 men over two years after a 6 week "GutBuster' course, the second following men for 1 year after having completed the initial 6 week programme (n = 83), or the initial course plus an additional six fortnightly "advanced' course (n = 37).


METHODS
Waist, hip and weight measures were reported for the 2 year group; waist and hip only in study 2. Dietary fat, exercise and alcohol intake were also recorded in study 2 through the use of questionnaires. The goal for the initial course was a 1% waist loss per week.


RESULTS
All groups achieved an average waist loss > 1%/week during the initial programme. Waist sizes reported in study 1 were significantly less after 2 years (t = 8.28, p < 0.001) averaging a 6% loss in the group. This equated with an average weight loss of 5.5 kg. A repeated measures ANOVA also showed a significant main effect (F = 85.35; p < 0.0001) for waist losses and an interaction effect (F = 16.53; p < 0.0001) between initial and advanced groups after 1 year in study 2. Average waist losses were 4% and 10% respectively. There were also significant changes in dietary fat intake, exercise and alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Reductions in waist size in men appear to be more feasible than weight losses in women. "Waist loss' may also be a more valid measure of fat loss in men that body mass measures.
Egger
G
G
School of Medicine, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Bolton
A
A
O'Neill
M
M
Freeman
D
D
D000005:Abdomen; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001824:Body Constitution; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss
D004041:Dietary Fats