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The effect of a low-fat, high-protein or high-carbohydrate ad libitum diet on weight loss maintenance and metabolic risk factors

International Journal of Obesity volume 33, pages 296–304 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

High-protein (HP) diets are often advocated for weight reduction and weight loss maintenance.

Objective:

The aim was to compare the effect of low-fat, high-carbohydrate (HC) and low-fat, HP ad libitum diets on weight maintenance after weight loss induced by a very low-calorie diet, and on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy obese subjects.

Design:

Forty-eight subjects completed the study that consisted of an energy restriction period of 5–6 weeks followed by a weight maintenance period of 12 weeks. During weight maintenance subjects received maltodextrin (HC group) or protein (HP group) (casein (HPC subgroup) or whey (HPW subgroup)) supplements (2 × 25 g per day), respectively and consumed a low-fat diet.

Results:

Subjects in the HP diet group showed significantly better weight maintenance after weight loss (2.3 kg difference, P=0.04) and fat mass reduction (2.2 kg difference, P=0.02) than subjects in the HC group. Triglyceride (0.6 mM difference, P=0.01) and glucagon (9.6 pg ml−1 difference, P=0.02) concentrations increased more in the HC diet group, while glucose (0.3 mM difference, P=0.02) concentration increased more in the HP diet group. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, insulin, HOMAir index, HbA1c, leptin and adiponectin concentrations did not differ between the diets. No differences were found between the casein- or whey-supplemented HP groups.

Conclusions:

These results show that low-fat, high-casein or whey protein weight maintenance diets are more effective for weight control than low-fat, HC diets and do not adversely affect metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in weight-reduced moderately obese subjects without metabolic or cardiovascular complications.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Kerry Bio-Science, Almere, The Netherlands. We thank Dr W Calame and Dr AD Siemensma from Kerry Bio-Science for their contributions and fruitful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    M Claessens, M A van Baak, S Monsheimer & W H M Saris

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  1. M Claessens
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  2. M A van Baak
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  3. S Monsheimer
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  4. W H M Saris
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Correspondence to M A van Baak.

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Claessens, M., van Baak, M., Monsheimer, S. et al. The effect of a low-fat, high-protein or high-carbohydrate ad libitum diet on weight loss maintenance and metabolic risk factors. Int J Obes 33, 296–304 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.278

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