Math for Real: Losing Weight versus Losing Fat

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-185

Measuring weight loss is important in determining if an exercise program works, but it is not the only objective. Losing body fat and maintaining a healthy body composition are more important. Body composition consists of lean tissue and fat. The body needs a certain amount of fat for essential functions (energy, regulating temperature). Karin Cottman, a certified personal trainer in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, keeps these ideas in mind when developing workout plans and diet goals for her clients.

Author(s):  
Darko Stojanović ◽  
Nataša Branković ◽  
Tijana Stojanović ◽  
Zoran Momčilović

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of a skill-based exercise program on the body composition of adolescents. The study was conducted on 90 participants, (age, 13±6 years), divided by gender then randomly assigned into two sub-samples: the experimental [SS1, N=39 (EG1, 19 girls and EG2, 20 boys)] and the control group [SS2, N=51 (CG1, 24 girls and CG2, 27 boys)]. Body composition parameters were assessed by a caliper (skinfold thickness) and bioelectrical impedance analyzer Omron BF511 (percentage of body fat tissue and muscle tissue). After conducting the 16-week program of skill-based exercises and small-sided games (SSG) related to volleyball, certain body composition parameters statistically significantly increased in the experimental groups (except body fat percent in girls, and body fat mass in both genders). In the experimental period, the SS2 increased in body fat tissue (both genders) and in muscle tissue (girls), while a decrease in muscle tissue was recorded among the boys. The results of this study showed no significant differences in the effects of the two programs on body composition at the multivariate level for both genders. Furthermore, at the univariate level it was noted that the students following the experimental program (SS1) had better results compared to the SS2 of students in terms of the decrease of body fat tissue, as well as the increase of muscle tissue for both genders. The obtained results indicate that the program of skill-based exercises and SSG related to volleyball is suitable for adequate intensification of PE classes and improvement of body composition parameters of elementary school students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hernández-Reyes ◽  
F. Cámara-Martos ◽  
R. Molina-Luque ◽  
M. Romero-Saldaña ◽  
G. Molina-Recio ◽  
...  

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.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Hernández-Reyes ◽  
Fernando Cámara-Martos ◽  
Rafael Molina-Luque ◽  
Manuel Romero-Saldaña ◽  
Guillermo Molina-Recio ◽  
...  

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 hypocaloric diet on the body composition of obese adult women when different degrees of physical activity are trained during a weight loss program. Methods One hundred and seventeen healthy female volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 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 No differences in body weight were found when compared moderate and intense physical activity (ß stand. = -0.138 vs ß stand. = -0.139). Body fat was lower in women following an intense activity (ß stand. = -0.436) than those with moderate exercise (ß stand. = -0.231). Intense activity also increased muscle mass at the end of the intervention, standing out above the moderate activity (ß stand. = 0.182 vs. ß stand. = 0.008). Conclusions These findings indicate that hypocaloric diet, without prescription of physical activity, is effective to lose weight, in the short term (12 weeks) but Physical activity is the working target 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 Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT03833791. Registered 1 January 2019 - Retrospectively registered.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Hernández-Reyes ◽  
Fernando Cámara-Martos ◽  
Rafael Molina-Luque ◽  
Manuel Romero-Saldaña ◽  
Guillermo Molina-Recio ◽  
...  

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 nº284, ref.4156) and retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833791). Registered 2 January 2019


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Hernández-Reyes ◽  
F. Cámara-Martos ◽  
R. Molina-Luque ◽  
M. Romero-Saldaña ◽  
G. Molina-Recio ◽  
...  

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 nº284, ref.4156) and retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833791). Registered 2 January 2019


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Hernández-Reyes ◽  
F. Cámara-Martos ◽  
R. Molina-Luque ◽  
M. Romero-Saldaña ◽  
G. Molina-Recio ◽  
...  

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 nº284, ref.4156) and retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833791). Registered 2 January 2019


1964 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Kodama ◽  
Nello Pace

Body fat content and the melting point and fatty acid composition of body fat of hamsters exposed to 35, 27, 20, 15, 10, and 6 C for 2 weeks were determined. The relationship between exposure temperature and body fat content and composition resembled that between environmental temperature and metabolic rate. Below the critical temperature, there was a progressive decrease in total body fat content and melting point accompanied by a decrease in the mole fraction of palmitic acid and an increase in the mole fraction of oleic acid. The softening of body fat in cold-exposed animals appears to be the result of an increased mobilization of depot fat in response to a higher metabolic rate in the cold, a mobilization which is at least partially selective with respect to individual fatty acids or triglycerides. Examination of changes in whole body composition revealed that 72% of the loss in body weight of hamsters exposed to 6 C was due to a decrease in body fat content. In contrast, the decrease in body fat content accounted for only 28% of the body weight loss of pair-fed hamsters kept at 27 C on reduced caloric intake to match the body weight loss experienced by cold-exposed animals. It appears, therefore, that cold exposure induces a more effective fat depot mobilization than does reduced caloric intake. heat exposure; cold exposure; body composition Submitted on February 3, 1964


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Niu ◽  
Xue-lin Zhao ◽  
Hui-juan Ruan ◽  
Xiao-meng Mao ◽  
Qing-ya Tang

Abstract Background Current adult studies suggest that uric acid (UA) is associated with body fat, but the relationship in obese children is unclear. Thus, we aim to evaluate the association between uric acid and body composition of obese children. Methods A total of 79 obese children were included in this study, and 52 children (34 boys and 18 girls) underwent a 6-week weight loss camp, including 34 boys and 18 girls. Six-week weight-loss interventions were performed on all participants through aerobic exercise and appropriate dietary control. Laboratory tests and body composition were collected before and after the intervention. Results Before the intervention, correlation analysis demonstrated that uric acid was positively correlated with height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, fat mass (FM), and free fat mass (FFM) with adjusting for age and gender (P < 0.05). After 6 weeks of intervention, the participants gained 3.12 ± 0.85 cm in height, body fat percentage decreased by 7.23 ± 1.97%, and lost 10.30 ± 2.83 kg in weight. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that uric acid at baseline was associated with FM reduction during weight loss (P < 0.05). Conclusions This study is the first report that uric acid is associated with BMI and FM, and may play an important role in the reduction of FM during weight loss in obese children and adolescents. The interaction between UA and adiposity factors and its underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. Trial registration This study was registered in Clinical Trials.gov (NCT03490448) and approved by the Ethics Committee of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.


2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (9) ◽  
pp. 1297-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navamayooran Thavanesan

The increase in the prevalence of obesity in recent years has prompted research into alternative methods of modulating body weight and body fat. The last decade has reflected this with a surge in studies investigating the potential of green tea as a natural agent of weight loss, with a view to confirming and elucidating the mechanisms underlying its effect on the body. Currently, it is widely believed that the polyphenolic components present in green tea have an anti-obesogenic effect on fat homeostasis, by increasing thermogenesis or reducing fat absorption among other ways. The data published to date, however, are inconsistent, with numerous putative modes of action suggested therein. While several unimodal mechanisms have been postulated, a more plausible explanation of the observed results might involve a multimodal approach. Such a mechanism is suggested here, involving simultaneous inhibition of the enzymes catechol-O-methyltransferase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase and impeding absorption of fat via the gut. An evaluation of the available evidence supports a role of green tea in weight loss; however the extent of the effects obtained is still subject to debate, and requires more objective quantification in future research.


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