A randomized trial of the effects of an almond-enriched, hypocaloric diet in the treatment of obesity
- 1 August 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Elsevier BV in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Vol. 96 (2), 249-254
- https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.037895
Abstract
Background: Increased consumption of nuts has been advocated because of their health benefits, but the role of nuts in the treatment of obesity is unclear given their high energy density. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a hypocaloric, almond-enriched diet (AED) compared with a hypocaloric nut-free diet (NFD) on body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the context of an 18-mo behavioral weight-management program. Design: Overweight and obese individuals [n = 123; age = 46.8 y, BMI (in kg/m2) = 34.0] were randomly assigned to consume an AED or NFD and instructed in traditional behavioral methods of weight control. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements were made at baseline, 6 mo, and 18 mo. Results: Those in the AED group lost slightly but significantly less weight than did those in the NFD group at 6 mo (−5.5 compared with −7.4 kg; P = 0.04), but there were no differences at 18 mo. No significant differences in body composition were found between the groups at 6 or 18 mo. The AED, compared with the NFD, was associated with greater reductions in total cholesterol (P = 0.03), total:HDL cholesterol (P = 0.02), and triglycerides (P = 0.048) at 6 mo, and no differences were observed between the groups at 18 mo. Conclusions: The AED and NFD groups experienced clinically significant and comparable weight loss at 18 mo. Despite smaller weight loss in the AED group at 6 mo, the AED group experienced greater improvements in lipid profiles. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00194428.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Changes in Diet and Lifestyle and Long-Term Weight Gain in Women and MenThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2011
- Nut Consumption and Blood Lipid LevelsArchives of Internal Medicine, 2010
- The effect of including a conventional snack (cereal bar) and a nonconventional snack (almonds) on hunger, eating frequency, dietary intake and body weightJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2009
- Nut consumption and risk of hypertension in US male physiciansClinical Nutrition, 2009
- Effect of chronic consumption of almonds on body weight in healthy humansBritish Journal of Nutrition, 2007
- Almonds vs complex carbohydrates in a weight reduction programInternational Journal of Obesity, 2003
- AHA Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: 2002 UpdateCirculation, 2002
- Effects of chronic peanut consumption on energy balance and hedonicsInternational Journal of Obesity, 2002
- Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III)JAMA, 2001
- The Effects of Nuts on Coronary Heart Disease RiskNutrition Reviews, 2001