Step-Defined Physical Activity Is Associated With Weight Loss and Changes in Body Composition and Fat Distribution in Response to Diet Interventions: The POUNDS Lost Trial

Abstract Objectives To examine whether objectively measured physical activity (PA) is associated with weight loss and changes in body composition and fat distribution in response to weight-loss diet interventions. Methods This study included 535 overweight or obese participants randomly assigned to 4 weight-loss diets varying in macronutrient intake with physical activity measured objectively with pedometers in the POUNDS Lost trial. The associations of step defined PA or the changes in PA with the changes in obesity measurements including body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), body fat composition assessed by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, body fat distribution assessed by the computed tomography (CT) were examined at the 6 and 24 months. We also examined whether the associations were modified by diet interventions. Results The increase of step-defined PA was significantly predictive of weight loss and decrease in all measurements of body fat composition and distribution in response to diet interventions over 24 months (P < 0.0001 for all). We also observed significant inverse associations of changes in PA with changes in BW (P < 0.0001), WC (P < 0.0001), body fat composition (P < 0.05 for total fat, total lean, total fat mass %, and trunk fat %) and fat distribution (P < 0.05 for total adipose tissue mass (TAT), visceral adipose tissue mass (VAT), deep subcutaneous adipose tissue mass (DSAT)) from baseline to 6 months, when the maximum weight loss was achieved. Dietary fat or protein intake modified the associations between changes in PA and changes in body weight and waist circumference over 24 months; greater reduction in these measures was observed in participants with high-fat or low-protein diets than those in the low-fat or high-protein diets (P interaction < 0.05 for all). Conclusions Our results indicate that objectively measured PA is inversely related to the changes in body weight, body composition, and fat distribution in response to weight-loss diets, and such relation is more evident in people with high-fat or low-protein diets. Funding Sources The study was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Fogarty International Center, and Tulane Research Centers of Excellence Awards.

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Abstract P129: FTO Genotype and 2-year Change in Body Composition and Fat Distribution in Response to Weight-loss Diets: The Pounds Lost Trial

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.125.suppl_10.ap129 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽

Author(s):

Xiaomin Zhang ◽

Qibin Qi ◽

Frank Hu ◽

Frank Sacks ◽

Lu Qi

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Risk Allele ◽

High Protein Diet ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

High Protein ◽

Protein Diet ◽

Tissue Mass ◽

Adipose Tissue Mass

OBJECTIVE The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) variant has shown the strongest association with obesity. Recent studies suggest that dietary intake may modify the genetic effects of FTO. We tested the effect of FTO variant on long-term weight loss and change in body composition in a 2-year randomized intervention trial. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS FTO SNP rs1558902 was genotyped in 742 overweight or obese adults who were randomly assigned to one of four diets differing in the percentages of energy derived from fat, protein and carbohydrate (20, 15, and 65%; 20, 25, and 55%; 40, 15, and 45%; and 40, 25, and 35%) in the Pounds Lost Trial for 2 years. Body composition and fat distribution were measured in 424 and 195 participants by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT), respectively. RESULTS We found significant modification effects for diet intervention varying in protein (low vs high), but not in fat, on 2-year changes in total fat, fat free mass (FFM), fat mass% (FM%), trunk fat%, total adipose tissue mass (TAT), visceral adipose tissue mass (VAT) and superficial adipose tissue mass (SAT) (P for interactions=0.045, 0.036, 0.033, 0.048, 0.001, 0.008 and 0.002, respectively). Carriers of the risk allele (A allele) had a greater loss of weight and regional fat in response to high protein diet, while an opposite genetic effect was observed on changes in TAT and SAT in response to low protein diet at 2 years. Significant gene by diet interventions (low vs high protein) were also observed at 6 months of intervention, when the maximum of weight-loss was achieved, for changes in FFM, TAT, VAT and SAT (P for interactions=0.007, 0.019, 0.036 and 0.041, respectively). Patterns of change in body composition and fat distribution by diet intervention were similar at 6 month and 2 year. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a high-protein diet may be beneficial for weight loss in individuals with the risk allele of the FTO variant rs1558902.

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Effects of a weight loss program on body composition and the metabolic profile in obese postmenopausal women displaying various obesity phenotypes: a MONET group study

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2014-0451 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (7) ◽

pp. 695-702 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eve Normandin ◽

Eric Doucet ◽

Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret ◽

Martin Brochu

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Body Fat ◽

Metabolic Profile ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Weight Loss Program ◽

Glucose Disposal ◽

Fasting Insulin ◽

Secondary Analyses

Obesity is a heterogeneous condition, since the metabolic profile may differ greatly from one individual to another. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a 6-month diet-induced weight loss program on body composition and the metabolic profile in obese individuals displaying different obesity phenotypes. Secondary analyses were done on 129 obese (% body fat: 46% ± 4%) postmenopausal women (age: 57 ± 4 years). Outcome measures included body composition, body fat distribution, glucose homeostasis, fasting lipids, and blood pressure. Obesity phenotypes were determined based on lean body mass (LBM) index (LBMI = LBM/height2) and visceral fat (VF) accumulation, as follows: 1, lower VF and lower LBMI (n = 35); 2, lower VF and higher LBMI (n = 19); 3, higher VF and lower LBMI (n = 14); and 4, higher VF and higher LBMI (n = 61). All groups had significantly improved measures of body composition after the intervention (P < 0.0001). Greater decreases in LBM and LBMI were observed in the higher LBMI groups than in the lower LBMI groups (P < 0.0001). Similarly, decreases in VF were greater in the higher VF groups than in the lower VF groups (P < 0.05). Overall, fasting insulin levels and glucose disposal improved following the intervention, with higher LBMI groups showing a trend for greater improvements (P = 0.06 and 0.07, respectively). Overall, no difference was observed among the different obesity phenotypes regarding improvements in the metabolic profile in response to weight loss. Individuals displaying higher VF or higher LBMI at baseline experienced significantly greater decreases for these variables after the intervention.

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Energy Expenditure and Body Fat Distribution in Mohawk Children

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.95.1.89 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 89-95

Author(s):

Michael I. Goran ◽

Mary Kaskoun ◽

Rachel Johnson ◽

Charlene Martinez ◽

Benson Kelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Native Americans ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Total Energy ◽

Body Fat ◽

Resting Energy Expenditure ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Total Energy Expenditure ◽

Fat Free Mass

Objective. Epidemiologic studies suggest that Native Americans, including the Mohawk people, have a high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk. However, current information on alterations in related variables such as energy metabolism and body composition in Native Americans is almost exclusively limited to already obese Pima adults living in the Southwest. The aim of this study was to characterize energy metabolism and body composition in young Mohawk children (17 girls, 11 boys; aged 4 to 7 years) as compared to Caucasian children (36 girls, 34 boys; aged 4 to 7 years). Total energy expenditure was measured by doubly labeled water, postprandial resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry, and activity energy expenditure was derived from the difference between total and resting energy expenditure. Fat and fat free mass were estimated from bioelectrical resistance, and body fat distribution was estimated from skinfolds and circumferences. Results. There were no significant effects of ethnic background or sex on body weight, height, or body mass index. Fat free mass was significantly higher in boys and fat mass was significantly higher in girls, with no effect of ethnic background. Chest skinfold thickness, the ratio of trunk skinfolds:extremity skinfolds, and the waist:hip ratio were significantly higher in Mohawk children by 2.5 mm, 0.09 units, and 0.03 units, respectively, independent of sex and fat mass. Total energy expenditure was significantly higher in Mohawk children compared to Caucasian (100 kcal/day in girls, 150 kcal/day in boys), independent of fat free mass and sex, due to a significantly higher physical activity-related energy expenditure. Conclusion. These data suggest that: 1) body fat is more centrally distributed in Mohawk relative to Caucasian children, and this effect is independent of sex and body fat content; 2) Mohawk children have a greater total energy expenditure than Caucasian children, independent of fat free mass, due to greater physical activity-related energy expenditure.

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Wheel running of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys merriami, as related to food deprivation and body composition

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1978.44.1.17 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 17-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

D. B. Dill ◽

L. F. Soholt ◽

J. D. Morris

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Weight ◽

Food Deprivation ◽

Body Fat ◽

Wheel Running ◽

Initial Amount ◽

Kangaroo Rats ◽

Dipodomys Merriami ◽

Percentage Of Body Fat

Kangaroo rats deprived of food ran themselves to death in 48 h in wheel cages. Despite the loss of 14.5% of body weight the ratio of water to protein was the same after the run as it was in control rats. Metabolic measurements at rest and in the running wheel and weight loss in the 48-h run were used to estimate fuels used and water expended. Two-thirds of the initial amount of fat and 9% of the protein were metabolized. The terminal mean percentage of body fat was about twice that observed in rats trapped in the spring of 1967, when seed production was low: death in the 48-h run could not have been due to depletion of body fat alone. The powerful activity drive seen in hungary kangaroo rats presumably is intensified in dry years when food is scarce and may deplete their reserves enough to result in death from starvation.

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Effects of diet on body weight, body composition, metabolic status, and physical activity levels of adult female dogs after spay surgery

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa057 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Thunyaporn Phungviwatnikul ◽

Helen Valentine ◽

Maria R C de Godoy ◽

Kelly S Swanson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Weight ◽

Body Fat ◽

Treatment Time ◽

High Fiber ◽

Fiber Diet ◽

Feeding Regimen ◽

High Fiber Diet ◽

Blood Hormones

Abstract Neutering is a risk factor for pet obesity, which reduces the quality and length of life. Dietary interventions may serve as preventive and therapeutic options for pet obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of specially formulated diets on body weight (BW), body composition, and blood hormones and metabolites of adult female dogs after spay surgery. All procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to experimentation. Twenty-eight healthy adult intact female Beagles (3.02 ± 0.7 yr; 10.28 ± 0.8 kg; body condition score [BCS]: 4.98 ± 0.57) were used in a longitudinal study. Twenty-four dogs were spayed and randomly allotted to one of three experimental diets: 1) moderate-protein, moderate-fiber diet (control; COSP), 2) high-protein, high-fiber diet (HP-HF), or 3) high-protein, high-fiber diet plus omega-3 and medium-chain fatty acids (HP-HF-O). Four dogs were sham-operated and fed the control diet (COSH). Food intake, BW, BCS, blood hormones and metabolites, body composition (via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans), and voluntary physical activity (via Actical devices) were measured over time. After spay, dogs were fed to maintain BW for 12 wk (restricted phase), then allowed to overeat for 12 wk (ad libitum phase). Change from baseline data was analyzed for treatment, time, and treatment × time effects as well as treatment, feeding regimen, and treatment × feeding regimen effects. During the first 12 wk, HP-HF and HP-HF-O had lower (P < 0.01) blood cholesterol than COSH and COSP. During the second 12 wk, HP-HF and HP-HF-O ate more (P < 0.01) food (g/d) than COSH. BCS change for COSP was greater (P < 0.01) than COSH from week 21 to 24, but HP-HF and HP-HF-O were not different. When comparing data by feeding regimen, HP-HF and HP-HF-O had a greater reduction in serum cholesterol (P < 0.001) than COSH and COSP. During the second 12 wk, all spayed dogs consumed more (P < 0.01) food than COSH. However, COSH, HP-HF, and HP-HF-O had a lower (P < 0.001) increase in BCS than COSP. HP-HF-O and COSH had similar serum leptin during weeks 12 to 24. COSP had higher (P ≤ 0.01) serum C-reactive protein than HP-HF-O. Overall, body fat increase in COSP was greater (P < 0.05) than for COSH at week 24, while HP-HF and HP-HF-O were intermediate. Our results indicate that an HP-HF diet can limit weight gain and body fat increase and attenuate serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and leptin concentrations in dogs after spay surgery.

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Unacylated ghrelin is associated with changes in body composition and body fat distribution during long-term exercise intervention

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-11-0334 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 165 (2) ◽

pp. 243-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Henna Cederberg ◽

Ulla Rajala ◽

Vesa-Matti Koivisto ◽

Jari Jokelainen ◽

Heljä-Marja Surcel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Body Fat ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Body Fat Distribution ◽

Unacylated Ghrelin

ObjectiveGhrelin, a gut–brain peptide involved in energy homeostasis, circulates predominantly (>90%) in unacylated form. Previous studies, however, have focused on total and acylated ghrelin, and the role of unacylated ghrelin (UAG) is not well understood. Particularly, the association of UAG with weight loss and changes in body composition in adults remains unclear. We hypothesized that exercise-associated increase in UAG level is associated with weight loss, favorable changes in body composition, and body fat distribution.Design and methodsA prospective study of 552 young men (mean age 19.3 and range 19–28 years) undergoing military service with structured 6-month exercise training program. Exercise performance, body composition, and biochemical measurements were obtained at baseline and follow-up. Association between changes in UAG levels and body composition and body fat distribution were evaluated.ResultsAn increase in UAG level during the exercise intervention was associated with reduced weight, fat mass (FM), fat percentage (fat %), and waist circumference, but not with fat-free mass. Inverse associations of changes in UAG level with changes in waist circumference and fat % were independent of weight at baseline, and changes in weight and exercise performance. Associations of changes in UAG level with waist circumference were significantly stronger than with fat % after the adjustment for confounding variables.ConclusionUAG is associated with changes in body weight and body composition during an intensive long-term exercise intervention in young men. The association of UAG levels with changes in central obesity was stronger than with total FM.

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Effect of Exercise Training on Fat Loss—Energetic Perspectives and the Role of Improved Adipose Tissue Function and Body Fat Distribution

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.737709 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Kristoffer Jensen Kolnes ◽

Maria Houborg Petersen ◽

Teodor Lien-Iversen ◽

Kurt Højlund ◽

Jørgen Jensen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Body Fat ◽

Interval Training ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Abdominal Fat

In obesity, excessive abdominal fat, especially the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), increases the risk of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Excessive abdominal fat is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, leading to systemic low-grade inflammation, fat overflow, ectopic lipid deposition, and reduced insulin sensitivity. Physical activity is recommended for primary prevention and treatment of obesity, T2DM, and related disorders. Achieving a stable reduction in body weight with exercise training alone has not shown promising effects on a population level. Because fat has a high energy content, a large amount of exercise training is required to achieve weight loss. However, even when there is no weight loss, exercise training is an effective method of improving body composition (increased muscle mass and reduced fat) as well as increasing insulin sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Compared with traditional low-to-moderate-intensity continuous endurance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) are more time-efficient as exercise regimens and produce comparable results in reducing total fat mass, as well as improving cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity. During high-intensity exercise, carbohydrates are the main source of energy, whereas, with low-intensity exercise, fat becomes the predominant energy source. These observations imply that HIIT and SIT can reduce fat mass during bouts of exercise despite being associated with lower levels of fat oxidation. In this review, we explore the effects of different types of exercise training on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during physical activity, and discuss the potential effects of exercise training on adipose tissue function and body fat distribution.

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Effectiveness of an mHealth Intervention Combining a Smartphone App and Smart Band on Body Composition in an Overweight and Obese Population: Randomized Controlled Trial (EVIDENT 3 Study) (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.21771 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Cristina Lugones-Sanchez ◽

Maria Antonia Sanchez-Calavera ◽

Irene Repiso-Gento ◽

Esther G Adalia ◽

J Ignacio Ramirez-Manent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Fat ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Mhealth Intervention ◽

Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. METHODS A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). CONCLUSIONS The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect. CLINICALTRIAL Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03175614; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03175614. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1097/MD.0000000000009633

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Meal Habits, Body Fat Composition and Mood Status in Young Adults

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa063_015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1617-1617

Author(s):

Hsin-Jen Chen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Food Security ◽

Body Fat ◽

Anxiety Score ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Fat Composition

Abstract Objectives To examine the association between meal habits (i.e., eating breakfast every day, usually ≥80% fullness at breakfast, and not eating snacks at night), body composition and the subsequent changes in mood status in young adults. Methods This is a longitudinal follow-up study based on a randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03828812). Young adults were recruited based in a university campus in Taipei City, Taiwan. In total, 125 participants were recruited and 103 completed the follow-ups. Measured body composition (TANITA BC-418) and moods (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, DASS) were assessed at baseline, the third month and 15th month from baseline. Baseline meal habits were based on the participants’ recall of their diets in the month before interview. We used mixed-effect model to test the association of baseline total body fat percentage and trunk body fat percentage and moods during follow-ups, adjusting for age, sex, baseline body mass index (BMI), food security status. Results After controlling for sex, age, BMI, and food security status at baseline, having breakfast every day at baseline was associated with 2.04 (se = 0.78, P = 0.0098) lower anxiety score and with 2.58 (se = 1.26, P = 0.0409) lower stress score at baseline. Meal habits were not associated with the subsequent changes in mood status. As for body composition, one % of trunk body fat replacing one % of non-trunk body fat at baseline was associated with 1.19 (se = 0.57, P = 0.0381) higher depression score, 1.02 (se = 0.47, P = 0.0327) higher anxiety score, 2.06 (se = 0.76, P = 0.0075) higher anxiety score at baseline. One % of non-trunk body fat percentage was associated with 2.60 (se = 1.02, P = 0.0116) lower anxiety score, as trunk body fat % is controlled. Baseline body fat composition parameters were not associated with the temporal changes in mood scores. The significance patterns were similar after adjusting for baseline physical activity level, assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Conclusions Breakfast habits and body composition, especially trunk body fat, was associated with university-based young adults’ emotional health status. Funding Sources Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan.

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Changes in body composition with a hypocaloric diet combined with sedentary, moderate and high-intense physical activity: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-019-0864-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

A. Hernández-Reyes ◽

F. Cámara-Martos ◽

R. Molina-Luque ◽

M. Romero-Saldaña ◽

G. Molina-Recio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Fat ◽

The Body ◽

Hypocaloric Diet ◽

Moderate Exercise ◽

Intense Activity ◽

Physical Activity Group ◽

Intense Physical Activity

Abstract Background There is evidence showing the effectiveness of a hypocaloric diet and the increase in physical activity on weight loss. However, the combined role of these factors, not only on weight loss but also body composition, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a hypocaloric diet on the body composition of obese adult women throughout different degrees of physical activity during a weight loss program. Methods One hundred and seventeen healthy female volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups: a control group with a low-level prescription of physical activity (1–4 METs), moderate physical activity group that performed 10.000 steps walking (5–8 METs) and intense physical activity group that trained exercises by at least 70% of VO2max three times a week (> 8 METs). All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet designed with a reduction of 500 kcal/day. Nutritional counseling was provided throughout the study period to help ensure dietary adherence. Results We found no differences in body weight compared to moderate and intense physical activity (ßstand. = − 0.138 vs. ßstand. = − 0.139). Body fat was lower in women following an intense activity (ßstand. = − 0.436) than those with moderate exercise (ßstand. = − 0.231). The high-intense activity also increased muscle mass at the end of the intervention, standing out above the moderate activity (ßstand. = 0.182 vs. ßstand. = 0.008). Conclusions These findings indicate that a hypocaloric diet, without prescription of physical activity, is adequate to lose weight in the short term (12 weeks), but physical activity is vital to modify the body composition in women with obesity. Body fat was lower when women practiced a moderate exercise compared to hypocaloric diet only, but an intense physical activity was the most effective protocol to obtain a reduction of body fat and maintain muscle mass. Trial registration The study protocol complied with the Declaration of Helsinki for medical studies, it was approved by the bioethical committee of Córdoba University, in the Department of Health at the Regional Government of Andalusia (Act n°284, ref.4156) and retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833791). Registered 2 January 2019.

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