(04-08-12) A randomized trial of the effects of an almond-enriched, hypocaloric diet in the treatment of obesity

1,2,3,4
1. Gary D Foster,
2. Kerri Leh Shantz,
3. Stephanie S Vander Veur,
4. Tracy L Oliver,
5. Michelle R Lent,
6. Amy Virus,
7. Philippe O Szapary,
8. Daniel J Rader,
9. Babette S Zemel, and
10. Adam Gilden-Tsai
+ Author Affiliations
1. 1From Temple University, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Philadelphia, PA (GDF, KLS, SSVV, TLO, MRL, and AV); the Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (POS and DJR); the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (AG-T); and the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (BSZ).
+ Author Notes
? ↵2 Supported by The Almond Board of California through a competitive request for applications.
? ↵3 Current addresses: Wellness Coaches USA (KLS); Immaculata University (TLO); School District of Philadelphia (AV); University of Colorado, Denver (AG-T); and Janssen Research & Development, Malvern, PA (POS).
? ↵4 Address correspondence and reprint requests to GD Foster, Center for Obesity Research and Education, 3223 North Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA 19140. E-mail: [email protected].
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.

Source: Am J Clin Nutr August 2012 vol. 96 no. 2 249-254

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