Research - Weight Loss Wellness

To investigate whether a hypo-energetic low-fat diet is superior to a hypo-energetic high-fat diet for the treatment of obesity.

12 volunteers completed an 8 week trial of the collagen hydrolysate supplement Slendernight. 10 women and 2 men aged between 18 and 72. One was lost to follow up due to travelling overseas. All volunteers wished to slim, but ranged from near average to clearly obese at baseline.

The traditional treatment for obesity which is based on a reduced caloric diet has only been partially successful. Contributing factors are not only a poor long-term dietary adherence but also a significant loss of lean body mass and subsequent reduction in energy expenditure. Both low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets and diets using low-glycaemic index (GI) foods are capable of inducing modest weight loss without specific caloric restriction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and medium-term effect of a low-fat diet with high (low GI) carbohydrates on weight loss, body composition changes and dietary compliance.

Bioimpedance is a quick, non-invasive method to assess body composition, to track changes in fat proportion during a weight-loss programme and to follow-up changes in body water proportion and shift between extra- and intracellular spaces. These parameters are of interest in a cardiac rehabilitation unit.