title: Long-term effects of a weight loss intervention with or without exercise component in postmenopausal women: A randomized trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of a weight loss intervention with or without an exercise component on body weight and physical activity. Women were randomized to diet (n= 97) or exercise (N= 98) for 16 weeks. During the intervention, both groups had achieved the set goal of 5-6 kg weight loss. All women were re-contacted twelve months after study cessation for follow-up where body weight and physical activity were measured (PASE questionnaire and ActiGraph accelerometer). At follow-up, body weight and physical activity (measured by the PASE questionnaire and accelerometer) were measured again. At follow-up, both mainly exercise (- 4.3 kg,p< 0.001) and diet (- 3.4 kg,p< 0.001) showed significantly reduced body weight compared to baseline. Both the mainly exercise and diet group were significantly more physically active at one year follow-up compared to baseline (PASE: + 33%,p< 0.001 and + 12%,p= 0.040, respectively; ActiGraph: + 16%,p= 0.012. and + 2.2%,p= 0.695 moderate-to-vigorous activity, respectively). Moreover, the increase in physical activity was statistically significantly when comparing exercise to diet (+ 0.6%,p= 0.035). ActiGraph data also showed significantly less sedentary time in mainly exercise group compared to baseline (- 2.1%,p= 0.018) and when comparing exercise to diet (- 1.8%,p= 0.023). No significant within group differences were found for the diet group. This study shows largely sustained weight loss one year after completing a weight loss program with and without exercise in overweight postmenopausal women. Although the mainly exercise group maintained more physically active compared to the diet group, maintenance of weight loss did not differ between groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Physical Therapy Sciences, program in Clinical Health Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Roon
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Willemijn A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: van Gemert
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Petra H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albertine J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Schuit
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Evelyn M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Monninkhof
keywords: Body weight; Diet; Exercise; Obesity; Physical activity