Obesity, Weight Loss & Immune Function
Weight Loss Study Aim
To study the effect of moderate energy restriction (4.19-5.44 MJ or 1200-1300
kcal per day) in obese females on a variety of both innate and adaptive
immune function measures including mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferative
response, and monocyte and granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst.
Obese and non-obese subjects were also compared at baseline.
Weight Loss Study Design
Measurement of body composition and immune function was conducted in all
subjects before and after a 12-week diet intervention period for the obese
subjects, with data analyzed using a two (obese and non-obese groups)
x two (pre- and post-study) repeated measures design. Subjects were thirteen
obese and 10 non-obese healthy, normoglycemic, premenopausal females.
Weight Loss Study Results
Data from this study indicate that despite large differences in body fat
mass between the obese and non-obese groups, immune function, as measured
in this study, was similar between groups. Weight loss, however, even
though relatively moderate (9.9 +/- 1.4 kg), was associated with significant
decreases relative to the non-obese in several measures of T, B, monocyte
and granulocyte function.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
These data do not support the contention that mild-to-moderate obesity
is associated with alterations in immune function. The data are consistent,
however, with the viewpoint that weight loss, even at a moderate rate,
is associated with a decrease in the function of certain aspects of the
immune system.
Source: Nieman DC, Nehlsen-Cannarella SI,
Henson DA, Butterworth DE, Fagoaga OR, Warren BJ, Rainwater MK. Department
of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
28608, USA. 1996
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