Does a high-protein diet improve weight loss in overweight and obese children?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a high-protein diet on anthropometry, body composition, subjective appetite, and mood sensations in overweight and obese children attending a residential weight-loss camp.


METHODS
Children (120; BMI, 33.1 +/- 5.5 kg/m(2); age, 14.2 +/- 1.9 years) were randomly assigned to either a standard or high-protein diet group (15% vs. 22.5% protein, respectively). All children were assessed at baseline and at the end of the camp for anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, biochemical variables (n = 27), and subjective appetite and mood sensations (n = 50).


RESULTS
Attendance at the weight-loss camp resulted in significant improvements in most measures. Campers lost 5.5 +/- 2.9 kg in body weight (p < 0.001) and 3.8 +/- 5.4 kg in fat mass (p < 0.001) and reduced their BMI standard deviation score by 0.27 +/- 0.1 (p < 0.001) and their waist circumference by 6.6 +/- 2.8 cm (p < 0.001). Subjective sensations of hunger increased significantly over the camp duration, but no other changes in appetite or mood were observed. There were no significant differences between the two diets on any physical or subjective measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight-loss camps are effective in assisting children to lose weight and improve on a range of health outcomes, independently of the protein content of the diet. The implications of an increase in hunger associated with weight loss needs to be considered. Further work is warranted to investigate whether higher levels of dietary protein are feasible or effective in longer-term weight-loss interventions of this type.
Gately
Paul J
PJ
School of Sport, Exercise, and Physical Education, Leeds Metropolitan University, Fairfax Hall, Headingley Campus, Leeds LS6 3QS, UK. p.gately@leedsmet.ac.uk
King
Neil A
NA
Greatwood
Hannah C
HC
Humphrey
Lauren C
LC
Radley
Duncan
D
Cooke
Carlton B
CB
Hill
Andrew J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000187:drug effects*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D004044:Dietary Proteins