Effect of moderate diet-induced weight loss and weight regain on cardiovascular structure and function.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this prospective, single-site, 2-year dietary intervention study was to evaluate the effects of moderate weight reduction and subsequent partial weight regain on cardiovascular structure and function.


BACKGROUND
Obesity is associated with adverse cardiac and vascular structural and functional alterations.


METHODS
Sixty obese subjects (age 46 + or - 10 years, body mass index 37 + or - 3 kg/m(2)) were evaluated during their participation in a weight loss study. Cardiac and vascular ultrasound studies were performed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after start of intervention.


RESULTS
Forty-seven subjects (78%) completed the entire 2-year follow-up. Average weight loss was 7.3 + or - 4.0%, 9.2 + or - 5.6%, 7.8 + or - 6.6%, and 3.8 + or - 7.9% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Age- and sex-adjusted mixed linear models revealed that the follow-up time was significantly associated with decreases in weight (p < 0.0001), left ventricular (LV) mass (p = 0.001), and carotid intima-media thickness (p < 0.0001); there was also significant improvement in LV diastolic (p < or = 0.0001) and systolic (p = 0.001) function. Partial weight regain diminished the maximal observed beneficial effects of weight loss, however cardiovascular parameters measured at 2 years still showed a net benefit compared with baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Diet-induced moderate weight loss in obese subjects is associated with beneficial changes in cardiovascular structure and function. Subsequent weight regain is associated with partial loss of these beneficial effects. (The Safety and Effectiveness of Low and High Carbohydrate Diets; NCT00079547).
de las Fuentes
Lisa
L
Cardiovascular Imaging and Clinical Research Core Laboratory, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Waggoner
Alan D
AD
Mohammed
B Selma
BS
Stein
Richard I
RI
Miller
Bernard V
BV
Foster
Gary D
GD
Wyatt
Holly R
HR
Klein
Samuel
S
Davila-Roman
Victor G
VG
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides