Concept of an Intervention for Sustainable Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women with Overweight-Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Dietary Intervention Study

Isabell Englert; Sarah Egert; Laura Hoffmann; Kathrin Kohlenberg-Müller

doi:10.3390/nu15143250

Concept of an Intervention for Sustainable Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women with Overweight-Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Dietary Intervention Study

Nutrients. 2023 Jul 22;15(14):3250. doi: 10.3390/nu15143250.

Authors

Isabell Englert¹, Sarah Egert², Laura Hoffmann¹, Kathrin Kohlenberg-Müller¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences, University of Applied Sciences, 36037 Fulda, Germany.
² Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutritional Physiology, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany.

Abstract

Introduction: The approach of an individual diet has great potential for sustainable weight reduction. Social support, participation and empowerment are also key factors for high motivation and compliance. So, the impact of an individual diet in combination with group sessions on weight loss in postmenopausal women with overweight was investigated.

Methods: In this reanalysis of a controlled intervention study, postmenopausal women (n = 54; BMI 30.9 ± 3.4 kg/m²; 59 ± 7 years) were recruited receiving an energy restricted diet for 12 weeks, followed by a six-month follow-up phase. The women received 51 individual meal plans based on their habits and were trained in four group sessions.

Results: Forty-six women completed the intervention phase, and 29 completed the follow-up. Average weight loss was -5.8 ± 3.0 kg (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks and was still significant at follow-up (-4.9 ± 5.4 kg, p < 0.001). Also, decreases in fat-free mass (-1.1 ± 1.2 kg, p < 0.001) and resting energy expenditure (-1096 ± 439 kJ/24 h, p < 0.001) were observed.

Conclusions: The individual nutrition approach with a focus on nutritype in combination with group sessions was effective for long-lasting weight loss in postmenopausal women. An important factor is close individual and group support.

Keywords: group sessions; individual nutrition; overweight; postmenopausal women; weight loss.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Diet
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Overweight* / therapy
Postmenopause
Weight Loss

Grants and funding

The shake powder was sponsored by the company Precon, and the whey protein powder was sponsored by the company Primal State. We acknowledge support by the Open Access Publishing Fund of Hochschule Fulda—University of Applied Sciences.