Effects of 5 % weight loss through diet or diet plus exercise on cardiovascular parameters of obese: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of 5 % weight loss, through diet only or diet plus exercise, on lipid profile, inflammation and endothelial function in obese individuals.


METHODS
In this randomized clinical trial, 48 obese individuals were randomized to either a diet only group (DI) or a diet and exercise group (DI + EXE). Treatment was maintained until 5 % of the initial body weight was lost. At baseline and upon completion, the following parameters were analyzed: total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation-FMD).


RESULTS
Thirteen individuals dropped out before completing the weight loss intervention. The median time required for reduction of 5 % of initial body weight was 79.7 days for the DI group and 65.9 days for the DI + EXE group (P = 0.16). In both DI (n = 18) and DI + EXE (n = 17), total cholesterol (-15.8 ± 4.8 and -10.5 ± 4.9 mg/dL, respectively), triglycerides (-33.8 ± 10.0 and -39.4 ± 10.3 mg/dL, respectively) and hs-CRP (-1.35 ± 0.41 and -0.45 ± 0.43 mg/L, respectively) decreased significantly, and in a similar response (repeated measures ANOVA). Weight loss did not change significantly the fibrinogen and FMD in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A 5 % weight loss improves lipid profile and reduces inflammation in obese individuals. Endothelial function did not change significantly. Weight loss has a significant impact on these cardiovascular risk factors, and this is independent of physical training.
Endocrine Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. apfayh@yahoo.com.br
Ana Paula Trussardi
AP
Fayh
André Luiz
AL
Lopes
Antônio Marcos Vargas
AM
da Silva
Alvaro
A
Reischak-Oliveira
Rogério
R
Friedman
D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014664:Vasodilation; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein