There is a paucity of data on long-term results of dietary treatment for obesity. Diets emphasizing fat restriction, low carbohydrate or high protein intake are each promoted in popular books, but with little evidence to support one over the other for their short- or long-term use.
The aims of the proposed research are to test the effectiveness for weight loss and weight maintenance of 4 diets differing in macronutrient composition: moderate in fat (35% energy) with two different protein levels (15% and 25%), and low in fat (20% energy), also with 15% and 25% protein. The moderate-fat diet will be patterned after a Mediterranean diet. All 4 dietary approaches will be low in saturated fat, and will involve reduction in total energy intake. All participants will receive a state-of-the-art behavioral therapy program standardized across the two centers. We will test the hypothesis that higher baseline insulin, RQ and VO2max will be associated with smaller weight loss and more difficulty maintaining the weight loss during maintenance. Dietary satisfaction and satiety will be assessed as potential predictors of success. 400 men and 400 women, BMI 27-39 kg/m2, will be randomized among the 4 dietary treatments. Each diet will be developed to be practical and suitable for public health recommendations, and would be expected to have a favorable effect on cardiovascular risk factors. The primary outcome variable will be change in total body weight from baseline to 2 years. Secondary outcomes related to obesity are total body fat, visceral fat mass, BMI, and waist and hip circumferences. Other outcomes include blood pressure, fasting blood lipids, apolipoproteins, insulin, glucose, and hemoglobin A1C. The results will be straightforwardly applicable to public health and clinical guidelines for obesity, and will increase our understanding of the biology of obesity and weight loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01HL073286-04
Application #
7106558
Study Section
Epidemiology and Disease Control Subcommittee 2 (EDC)
Program Officer
Loria, Catherine
Project Start
2003-09-28
Project End
2009-02-28
Budget Start
2006-08-01
Budget End
2008-02-29
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$1,863,033
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Nutrition
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
149617367
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Liu, G; Liang, L; Bray, G A et al. (2017) Thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and metabolic parameters in response to weight loss diets: the POUNDS LOST trial. Int J Obes (Lond) 41:878-886
Apolzan, John W; Myers, Candice A; Champagne, Catherine M et al. (2017) Frequency of Consuming Foods Predicts Changes in Cravings for Those Foods During Weight Loss: The POUNDS Lost Study. Obesity (Silver Spring) 25:1343-1348
Bray, G A; Ryan, D H; Johnson, W et al. (2017) Markers of dietary protein intake are associated with successful weight loss in the POUNDS Lost trial. Clin Obes 7:166-175
Zheng, Yan; Ceglarek, Uta; Huang, Tao et al. (2016) Plasma Taurine, Diabetes Genetic Predisposition, and Changes of Insulin Sensitivity in Response to Weight-Loss Diets. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 101:3820-3826
Zheng, Yan; Ceglarek, Uta; Huang, Tao et al. (2016) Weight-loss diets and 2-y changes in circulating amino acids in 2 randomized intervention trials. Am J Clin Nutr 103:505-11
Thomas, Diana M; Ivanescu, Andrada E; Martin, Corby K et al. (2015) Predicting successful long-term weight loss from short-term weight-loss outcomes: new insights from a dynamic energy balance model (the POUNDS Lost study). Am J Clin Nutr 101:449-54
Tirosh, Amir; de Souza, Russell J; Sacks, Frank et al. (2015) Sex Differences in the Effects of Weight Loss Diets on Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition: POUNDS LOST Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 100:2463-71
Talayero, Beatriz; Wang, Liyun; Furtado, Jeremy et al. (2014) Obesity favors apolipoprotein E- and C-III-containing high density lipoprotein subfractions associated with risk of heart disease. J Lipid Res 55:2167-77
Nicklas, Jacinda M; Sacks, Frank M; Smith, Steven R et al. (2013) Effect of dietary composition of weight loss diets on high-sensitivity c-reactive protein: the Randomized POUNDS LOST trial. Obesity (Silver Spring) 21:681-9
Mattei, Josiemer; Qi, Qibin; Hu, Frank B et al. (2012) TCF7L2 genetic variants modulate the effect of dietary fat intake on changes in body composition during a weight-loss intervention. Am J Clin Nutr 96:1129-36

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