Why was this study done?
Research indicates that weight loss programs are effective for reducing body weight temporarily, but weight maintenance studies have been almost uniformly unsuccessful in preventing weight regain. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to observe if a 6-month weight maintenance program could be successful among the subjects who had successfully completed weight loss program using a structured meal plan including high protein shake meal replacement and 40 min exercise twice a week.
What did the study find?
After 6 months on the weight maintenance program, participants experienced improvement (P < 0.05) in percent fat, fat mass, lean mass, waist girth, and hip girth, with no significant change in body weight. A subgroup of subjects who continued the weight maintenance program for an additional 3 months experienced additional improvement (P < 0.05) in percent fat, fat mass, lean mass, waist girth, and hip girth, with no significant change in body weight. These findings indicated that a weight maintenance program incorporating 2 weekly resistance and aerobic exercise sessions coupled with a daily meal-replacement protein shake was effective for avoiding weight regain after the weight loss and for improving body composition, with concurrent fat mass decrease and lean mass increase.
Effects of Resistance Exercise and Protein on Body Composition Following Weight Loss.
Authors: Westcott W, Colligan A, Lannutti K, La Rosa Loud R, Vallier S. Journal of Clinical Exercise and Physiology 2018;7(2):25-32.