title: Changes in cardiovascular risk factors with participation in a 12-week weight loss trial using a commercial format.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors among participants in a 12-week behavioral weight loss intervention featuring a commercial format.
  
  
  METHODS
  132 participants were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week group-based lifestyle intervention that involved two structured food plan conditions. Of them, 112 (100 women and 12 men, mean BMI=31.44 ± 2.18 kg/m(2)) completed the program with post-treatment assessments. Weight and changes in risk factors (cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure) were assessed at pre- and posttreatment. Additionally, changes for each risk factor were examined among participants with baseline values of risk factors beyond recommended cut points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With no weight loss differences between conditions, analyses used the combined sample. Participants lost 3.74 ± 3.16 kg (4.37 ± 3.71% of baseline weight), and exhibited significant decreases in triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. There were trends toward reductions in fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Among participants with elevated baseline values, significant reductions were seen on all risk factors, with the exception of HDL cholesterol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modest weight loss achieved via a relatively brief, non-intensive intervention using a commercial format can yield significant improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly among individuals with initially higher-risk values.
authors.affiliation: Weight Management Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States.
authors.forename: Vanessa A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Milsom
authors.affiliation: Weight Management Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Malcolm
authors.affiliation: Weight Management Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States.
authors.forename: Gail C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Weight Management Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pechon
authors.affiliation: Weight Management Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Weight Watchers International, United States.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miller-Kovach
authors.affiliation: Weight Watchers International, United States.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rost
authors.affiliation: Weight Management Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States. Electronic address: oneilp@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Neil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors; Dieting; Obesity; Weight loss