title: Effects of an intervention and maintenance weight loss diet with and without exercise on anthropometric indices in overweight and obese healthy women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is growing evidence that excess body weight and body fat levels may lead to various diseases. A low-calorie diet has been found to reduce body weight and fat; however, 95% of patients regain the weight within a short period of time. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a reduced-calorie diet with and without exercise on body composition profile as well as to evaluate maintenance of weight loss 18 weeks after the intervention had concluded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and six overweight and/or obese women were randomized by a computer to either diet only (DO) or diet and exercise (DE) for an 18-week intervention period and 18 weeks of maintenance. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index (BMI) was reduced by 5.1 in the DE group compared to 3.2 in the DO group 18 weeks after the intervention period had ended; waist circumference (WC) was 14.2 cm lower in the exercise group and 8 cm lower in the diet alone group, and body fat was reduced by 15.5% in the DE group, while no changes were observed in the DO group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of a reduced-calorie diet with exercise may successfully reduce weight, BMI, WC and body fat levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Health Science, Intercollege, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreou
authors.forename: Christiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Philippou
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papandreou
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult