title: Body composition changes and cardiometabolic benefits of a balanced Italian Mediterranean Diet in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic alteration associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality than the single alterations alone. The Italian Mediterranean Diet (IMD) can exert a positive effect on cardiovascular risk and related morbidity and mortality. The aim was to evaluate the benefits of dietary intervention based on a typical IMD on body composition, cardiometabolic changes and reduction in cardiovascular disease in patients with MS. Eighty White Italian subjects with MS were prescribed a balanced hypocaloric IMD. We investigated dietary habits and impact of the diet on health status, blood biochemical markers, anthropometric measurements and body composition during a 6-month follow-up period. Body composition, fat mass and distribution were assessed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry. Adherence to the IMD led to a decrease in body weight (102.59 ± 16.82 to 92.39 ± 15.94 kg, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (38.57 ± 6.94 to 35.10 ± 6.76, <0.001) and waist circumference (112.23 ± 12.55 vs 92.42 ± 18.17 cm, p < 0.001). A significant loss of total body fat especially in waist region was observed. The MS was resolved in 52 % of the patients. Significant improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting glucose occurred. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced from 128.74 ± 33.18 to 108.76 ± 38.61 mg/dl (p < 0.001), triglycerides from 169.81 ± 80.80 to 131.02 ± 63.88 mg/dl (p < 0.001). The present results suggest that a dietary intervention based on a typical IMD effectively promotes weight loss and reduces the growing burden of cardiovascular risk factors that typifies patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Hypertension Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Daniele
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petramala
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Renzo
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sarlo
authors.forename: Domenico Giovanni
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Della Rocca
authors.forename: Mariagiovanna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fondacaro
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iacopino
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pepine
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Lorenzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL