title: Effect of weight loss resulting from a combined low-fat diet/exercise regimen on low-density lipoprotein particle size and distribution in obese women.
abstract: Weight loss resulting from diet interventions has been shown to favorably affect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and distribution, and, hence, decrease cardiovascular disease risk. However, the effect of a dietary weight loss strategy when combined with exercise, on LDL electrophoretic characteristics, has yet to be tested. This study examined the effect of a weight loss intervention that combined a low-fat diet with moderate endurance training, on LDL particle size and distribution in obese women. Thirty obese, hypercholesterolemic women participated in a controlled longitudinal weight loss trial, which consisted of (1) a 2-week pre-stabilization phase, (2) a 20-week weight loss phase, and (3) a 2-week post-stabilization phase. Weight reduction resulted from a low-fat diet (<30% fat, 50%-60% carbohydrate, 20% protein) combined with an endurance training program (>40 minutes moderate training, 3 times per week). Mean weight loss was 14.8% (P < .01) of initial body weight. Total, LDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations decreased (P < .01) by 8.9%, 7.5%, and 27.1%, respectively, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations increased (P < .01) by 9.9%. No significant differences were noted for LDL peak or integrated particle size. The relative proportion of small, medium, and large particles was not significantly different posttreatment. Estimated cholesterol concentrations in large- and medium-sized LDL particles decreased (P < .05) by 15.3% and 5.9%, respectively, as a result of weight loss. No effect was noted for estimated cholesterol concentrations in small size LDL particles. In conclusion, these findings suggest that weight loss, resulting from a low-fat diet/exercise program, has only a minimal effect on LDL particle size and distribution.
authors.affiliation: School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H9X 3V9.
authors.forename: Krista A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Varady
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lamarche
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santosa
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demonty
authors.forename: Amélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charest
authors.forename: Peter J H
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D010316:Particle Size; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010807:Physical Endurance; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides