title: Does the effect of supervised cardiac rehabilitation programs on body fat distribution remained long time?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increased accumulation of fat in the intra-abdominal cavity is highly correlated with adverse coronary risk profiles. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) produces a host of health benefits related to modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Further research is needed to define better program for weight loss and risk improvement in coronary patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supervised and unsupervised cardiac rehabilitation program on body composition and body fat distribution in a population with coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study investigated 167 patients with coronary artery disease (73% males; mean age = 52.67&plusmn;9.11 years) before and after a supervised protocol cardiac rehabilitation program, and 12-months later. Target variables included body fat distribution indices (waist and hip circumference and waist to hip ratio), weight and body mass index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and body mass index significantly decreased with 2 month supervised program (P&lt;0.001), but hip circumference was not significantly changed. Males improved to a greater extent than the female patients. All of measurements relatively returned to baseline at the end of program (after 12 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supervised cardiac rehabilitation program results in improvements in body composition and body fat distribution. The effects of non-supervised program were minimal and the program needed to be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilatation, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nalini
authors.affiliation: Echocardiography Research Center, Shaheed Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahieh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moradi
authors.affiliation: Echocardiography Research Center, Shaheed Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esmaeilzadeh
authors.affiliation: Echocardiography Research Center, Shaheed Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maleki
keywords: Body Composition; Cardiac Rehabilitation Program; Exercise; Weight Loss