The influence of calcium consumption on weight and fat following 9 months of exercise in men and women.
BACKGROUND
There is some evidence that calcium consumption improves weight loss during energy restriction but the effects of calcium consumption in conjunction with chronic exercise are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the degree to which calcium consumption influences weight and fat weight change as a result of 9 months of verified supervised exercise in the absence of energy restriction.


METHODS
Participants were 50 previously sedentary, overweight and moderately obese men (n=20) and women (n=30). Exercise of moderate intensity was performed for 45 min/d, 5 d/wk, under supervision. Diet intake was ad libitum and was measured for energy, macronutrient and micronutrient composition at baseline, 4 and 9 months by use of observer recorded weighed plate waste and multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall procedures.


RESULTS
Average calcium consumption was 987 +/- 389 mg/day for men and 786 +/- 276 mg/day for women. Weight change over the 9 months was -4.6 +/- 4.6 kg for men and 0.2 +/- 3.3 kg for women. Calcium consumption was associated with weight change (r =-0.47, p<0.05) in men. The calcium to protein ratio was associated with weight change (r=0.56) and fat weight change (r=-0.53) in men. There was no observed association between calcium and weight or fat weight change in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight and fat weight loss as a result of nine months of moderate intensity exercise may be improved by increased calcium consumption in men but was not observed in women.
Bailey
Bruce W
BW
Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA. bruce.baily@umb.edu
Sullivan
Debra K
DK
Kirk
Erik P
EP
Hall
Sandra
S
Donnelly
Joseph E
JE
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004044:Dietary Proteins