Comparison of moderate-and low-fat reduced energy diets on weight loss and body composition in post-menopausal women with android obesity

The purpose of this study was to determine if manipulation of fat content of a 1200 kcal weight reduction diet had an effect on total weight loss and fat distribution as measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Twenty-eight abdominally obese, postmenopausal females consumed either a 1200 kcal moderate fat diet consisting of 30 to 32% of total calories from fat (MFD; N = 16), or a 1200 kcal low fat diet with 20 to 22% of calories supplied from fat (LFD; N- 12). Prior to weight loss, all subjects had a BMI ~27 and WHR ~0.80. Regardless of diet, all subjects experienced significant decreases in body weight, BMI, and WHR. No significant differences were found in amount of weight lost, or changes in body mass index or waist-to- hip ratio when the two groups were compared. The data suggests that for postmenopausal females with android obesity, a low fat diet (20 to 22%) is not of greater benefit than a higher fat diet (30 to 32%) during weight reduction. Weight loss and changes in adiposity are related to caloric restriction rather than to the fat content of the diet.