High-Protein Diets More Effective at Maintaining
Weight Loss
Weight Loss Study Summary
Overweight people who lost weight on low-calorie diets were able to maintain
their weight loss more effectively by following a higher protein diet,
according to a weight loss study.
Weight Loss Study Method
The weight loss study involved 120 people who had lost about 13 pounds
of weight in four weeks by following a very low-energy diet. They were
then split into two groups-one group followed a moderately restricted
diet while the other group followed a diet similar in calories but higher
in protein content. As a partial replacement for lunch, the high-protein
group received a protein drink that resulted in an additional 30 grams
of protein per day. The high-protein diet provided 18 percent of its energy
as protein, compared with 15 percent protein in the control diet.
Weight Loss Study Results
After six months, those on the high-protein diet had regained two pounds,
while those on the control diet had regained about 6.6 pounds. Further,
body mass regained by those in the high-protein group was of fat-free
mass, according to researchers. There were also differences in waist circumference
at the end of the 6-month study. Those following the high-protein diet
lost an average 1.2 cm around the waist while those on the control gained
0.5 cm. Also, those on the high-protein diet reported higher feelings
of satiety and had a higher respiratory quotient than the control group.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Additional protein intake may contribute to storage of fat-free mass and
increase satiety and may result in improved weight maintenance.
Source: European Congress of Obesity Helsinki
Finland, June 4, 2003
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