A weight-loss program adapted to the menstrual cycle increases weight loss in healthy, overweight, premenopausal women: a 6-mo randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle influence energy intake and expenditure as well as eating preferences and behavior.


OBJECTIVE
We examined the effect in healthy, overweight, premenopausal women of a diet and exercise weight-loss program that was designed to target and moderate the effects of the menstrual cycle compared with the effect of simple energy restriction.


METHODS
A total of 60 healthy, overweight, premenopausal women were included in a 6-mo weight-loss program in which each subject consumed a diet of 1600 kcal/d. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a combined diet and exercise program that was tailored to metabolic changes of the menstrual cycle (Menstralean) or to undergo simple energy restriction (control).


RESULTS
Thirty-one women (19 Menstralean and 12 control women) completed the study [mean ± SD body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 32.0 ± 5.2]. Both groups lost weight during the study. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the Menstralean group did not achieve a clinically significant weight loss compared with that of the control group (P = 0.61). In per-protocol analyses, a more-pronounced weight loss of 4.3 ± 1.4 kg (P = 0.002) was shown in adherent Menstralean subjects than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
A differentiated diet and exercise program that is tailored to counteract food cravings and metabolic changes throughout the menstrual cycle may increase weight loss above that achieved with a traditional diet and exercise program in women who can comply with the program. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01622114.
Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark; nina.rica.wium.geiker@regionh.dk.
Nina Rw
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8063-5820
NR
Geiker
Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;
Christian
C
Ritz
Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; C-ENDO Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Calgary, Canada; and.
Sue D
SD
Pedersen
Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;
Thomas M
TM
Larsen
Anschutz Health and Wellness, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO.
James O
JO
Hill
Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;
Arne
A
Astrup
D000328:Adult; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D066249:Craving / Q000502:physiology; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight; D017697:Premenopause; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult
D006728:Hormones
energy expenditure; energy restriction; hormonal fluctuations; menstrual cycle; obesity; satiation; weight loss