Rev Bras Fisiol Exerc 2020;19(6):489-98
doi: 10.33233/rbfex.v19i6.4280
ORIGINAL
ARTICLE
Impact
of dietary composition and resistance training on cardiovascular risk
indicators and abdominal fat in older adult women
Impacto da composição
dietética e do treinamento resistido sobre indicadores de risco cardiovascular
e o tecido adiposo abdominal em idosas
Vitória Felício Souto1,
Clécia Alves da Silva1, Natalia Costa de
Meira Lins1, Maria Lúcia Diniz Araújo1, André dos Santos
Costa1
1Physical Exercise,
Nutrition and Central Nervous System Research Group, Department of Physical
Education, UFPE, Recife, PE, Brazil
Received
on: July 17, 2020; Accepted on: November 10, 2020.
Correspondence: Vitória Felício
Souto, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 Cidade Universitária 50670-90 Recife
Vitória Felício Souto:
vitoria_felicio@hotmail.com
Clécia Alves da Silva:
kell_ed@hotmail.com
Natalia Costa de Meira
Lins: nataliacostaml@gmail.com
Maria Lúcia Diniz
Araújo: mldinizaraujo@hotmail.com
André dos Santos Costa:
andre.santoscosta@ufpe.br
Abstract
Introduction:
Senescence occurs as a natural organic aging process which brings changes in
body composition and quality of life. These conditions result in an increased
risk to develop cardiovascular diseases, making it necessary to eat properly
and to exercise. Objective: To evaluate the effects of two dietary
patterns (high-protein, 1.8 g proteins/kg/day; normoproteic,
1.0 g proteins/kg/day) with a 300 kcal reduction associated with resistance
training on cardiovascular risk indicators and android adipose tissue in overweight
and/or obese older adult women. Methods: The sample consisted of 25
older adult women aged ≥ 60 years and body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m².
Participants were allocated into three separate groups by randomization and
submitted to a resistance training program for eight weeks. Anthropometric and
dietary data were collected. Results: A significant effect of time (Pre
vs. Post) was found regarding anthropometric variables and cardiovascular risks
indicators in the control group with an increase in waist circumference (p =
0.0001) and waist-to-height ratio (p = 0.002). There was a significant effect
of the time for body mass index and fat percentage in the high-protein group (p
= 0.039; p = 0.002) and normoproteic group (p =
0.001; p = 0.012), respectively, while the normoproteic
group had a significant decrease of the time effect (p = 0.001) for body mass
index, although there was no significance (p = 0.088) for this parameter in the
high-protein group. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a
prescriptive diet with different protein intake and caloric restriction
patterns associated with resistance training for eight weeks seems to be
ineffective in decreasing cardiovascular risk factors or android adipose tissue
in older adult women.
Keywords: aging; body composition; resistance training; diet; obesity.
Resumo
Introdução: Senescência se dá
como um processo orgânico natural de envelhecimento que traz consigo alterações
na composição corporal e na qualidade de vida. Essas condições trazem como
consequência o aumento do risco para o desenvolvimento das doenças
cardiovasculares, tornando imprescindível uma alimentação adequada bem como a
prática de exercícios físicos. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de dois
padrões de dieta (hiperproteica 1,8 g
proteínas/kg/dia; normoproteica, 1,0 g de
proteína/kg/dia) com redução de 300 kcal associada ao treinamento resistido
sobre indicadores de risco cardiovascular e o tecido adiposo androide em idosas
com sobrepeso e/ou obesidade. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 25
mulheres idosas, com idade ≥ 60 anos e índice de massa corporal ≥
25 kg/m2. As participantes foram alocadas em três grupos distintos
por randomização e submetidas a um programa de treinamento resistido por oito
semanas. Dados antropométricos e dietéticos foram coletados. Resultados:
Em relação às variáveis antropométricas e os indicadores de risco
cardiovascular, foi encontrado efeito significativo para o tempo (Pré vs. Pós) no grupo controle com elevação nos índices de
circunferência de cintura (p = 0,0001) e razão cintura-estatura (p = 0,002).
Para índice de massa corporal e percentagem de gordura houve efeito
significativo para o tempo no grupo hiperproteico (p = 0,039; p = 0,002) e no
grupo normoproteico (p = 0,001; p = 0,012),
respectivamente, enquanto que para a MC o grupo normoproteico
teve diminuição significativa, efeito do tempo (p = 0,001) embora no grupo
hiperproteico não obteve significância (p = 0,088) neste parâmetro. Conclusão:
Este estudo demonstrou que dieta prescritiva com padrões diferentes de ingestão
de proteínas e restrição calórica associada ao treinamento resistido por oito
semanas parece não ser eficiente em diminuir tantos fatores de risco
cardiovascular como o tecido adiposo androide em idosas.
Palavras-chave: envelhecimento;
composição corporal; treinamento de resistência; dieta; obesidade.
Senescence occurs as a natural organic aging process which brings
changes in body composition and quality of life [1]. Thus, a greater tendency
to fat accumulation is observed with advancing age [2]. Obesity is defined as
excess weight expressed by a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2
[3]. In Brazil, obesity affects approximately 27.7% of women and 20.4% of men
in the capitals of the Brazilian states and the Federal District, aged 55 to 64
years [4].
External factors influence the current obesity scenario, with the main
factors being sedentary behavior and inadequate eating, reaching all
socioeconomic levels; just as physiological factors also exert their influences
[5]. There is a redistribution of fat mass in the natural process of aging,
with decreased fat in the appendicular (upper and lower limbs) and a higher
concentration in the abdominal region being observed in men and women [6].
These conditions result in increased risk for developing cardiovascular
diseases. Visceral adiposity is related to the development of insulin
resistance [7], as well as to dyslipidemias (deregulation of serum total
cholesterol levels and their fractions, increase in total lipids, among others)
and hypertension, while these factors occurring concomitantly is characterized
as metabolic syndrome [8].
Energy deficit and exercise are known to induce improvements in health,
body composition, cardiovascular risk parameters (CVR) and visceral obesity
[9]. It is seen in the literature that a high protein intake seems to be
effective in promoting greater retention of lean mass as well as greater fat
loss in older individuals during the weight loss process [10]. Similarly,
resistance training (RT), which in addition to promoting lean mass increase, is
also an effective intervention in improving health parameters, as it can reduce
both abdominal and visceral fat content, as well as to increase insulin
sensitivity [11]. Together with RT, a higher protein intake seems to potentiate
the effects of RT on lean mass increase, since several studies corroborate this
statement [12]. Therefore, these interventions can be applied together in
aiming toward an improvement in the abovementioned health parameters.
Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of two dietary
patterns (high-protein 1.8 gPTN/kg/day; Normoproteic 1.0gPTN/kg/day) with a reduction of 300 kcal
associated with resistance training on cardiovascular risk indicators and
android adipose tissue in overweight and/or obese older adult women.
Subjects
This was a randomized and controlled clinical trial composed of 25 older
adult women, aged ≥ 60 years and BMI ≥ 25kg/m2. The
eligibility criteria included those who were restricted to high-protein diets
(patients with chronic kidney disease), without physical and/or mental
limitations which would prevent the evaluation and practice of physical
exercises, as well as understanding of nutritional guidelines. After signing
the Free and Informed Consent Form (ICF), the participants were allocated by
simple randomization (computer generated list, used to prepare sealed
envelopes, following a ratio of 1:1:1) in three different groups: the control
group (CG), the high-protein group (HPG) and the normoproteic
group (NPG). All groups underwent a RT program for eight weeks. The study was
approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Health Sciences Center of the
Federal University of Pernambuco (Opinion No. 3,410,439) and was conducted in
accordance with the ethical principles contained in the 2008 Declaration of
Helsinki.
Anthropometry
Participants had their height measured using a millimetered
Stanley® tape measure, with 1mm accuracy and 0.5 cm accuracy. Body mass was
measured using a 0.1kg precision electronic scale (Filizola®).
Waist circumference was measured by a non-flexible measuring tape (accuracy 0.1
cm) placed directly on the skin, with the individual standing, relaxed abdomen,
arms along their body and feet joined at the level of the umbilical scar at the
end of an expiration. A cut-off point > 80cm was used, being indicative of
increased CVR [13].
BMI was calculated according to mass and height (kg mass/height m2),
according to the original technique recommended by Lohman et al. [14]. The
World Health Organization parameters were adopted for overweight or obesity
classification [15].
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) values were
obtained through the ratio of waist circumference (cm) and height (cm),
adopting a cut-off point of 0.55 for greater CVR associated with central
adiposity [16].
Body
composition
Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA,
GE, Lunar, Prodigy, GE Health). Changes in fat mass of the android region were
analyzed - which concerns the region between the last rib and the iliac crest
[17].
Training
protocol
All groups performed RT with 80% intensity of 1RM for the vertical bench
press and horizontal leg press, articulated row and extensor chair exercises,
with a margin of 8 to 12 repetitions. Loads were determined from a relative
load test, and participants performed two sets to failure with at least 2
repetitions and not exceeding 10 repetitions. The calculation proposed by Wathen was used to estimate the maximum loads (1RM) [18].
Diet
In order to plan the dietary intervention as close as possible to the
dietary reality of the older adults, the 24-hour recall (R24) was applied at
the data collection time as well as the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ),
which was answered by the selected subjects on three alternate days, being two
days on weekdays and one on the weekend. Diets had a reduction of 300 kcal and
equivalent amounts of fiber and lipids. The HPG intake was 1.8 g protein/kg
current weight/day and 2.0 g carbohydrate/kg/day, and the NPG intake 1.0 g
protein/kg current weight/day and 3.0 g carbohydrate/kg/day, while the CG
maintained their routine eating habits. Pre-intervention nutritional
orientations were conducted on portions, home measures and the benefits of
healthy eating habits in order to make adherence to the diet easier. The
nutritional intervention lasted eight weeks, with weekly follow-up. Adherence
to the food plan was evaluated, the nutritional guidelines were reinforced, and
the food consumption was monitored in these meetings.
Statistical
analysis
Descriptive analysis was presented as mean ± standard error. Data
normality was verified with the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the Quasi-Likelihood
under the Independence Model Criterion (QIC) was used to evaluate which model
is the best according to the data distribution. Generalized Estimating
Equations (GEE) were used to verify the interaction between time (pre vs. post)
and interventions (CG vs. NPG vs. HPG) for the dependent variables. The LSD
post hoc was used to identify differences between conditions. Data were
analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software and the alpha value was set at 5%.
Table I presents the characterization data of the sample composed by
age, body mass, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC),
waist-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage
(FAT%), total caloric intake and macronutrients (Carbohydrates, Proteins and
Lipids). No statistically significant differences were observed between control
(CG), high-protein (HPG) or normoproteic (NPG) groups
in the pre-experimental condition.
Table
I - Baseline characteristics of 25 overweight older
adult women who completed two months of intervention with strength training and
dietary manipulation. Recife, Brazil, 2019
BMI
= body mass index; WC = waist circumference; WHtR =
waist-to-height ratio; FAT% = body fat percentage; CG = control group; HPG =
high-protein group; NPG = normoproteic group; SE =
standard error
Regarding anthropometric variables and CVR indicators (Table II), a
significant effect of time (Pre vs. Post) was found in the CG, with an increase
in WC (p = 0.0001) and WHtR (p = 0.002). There was a
significant effect of time for BMI and FAT% in the HPG (p = 0.039; p = 0.002)
and NPG (p = 0.001; p = 0.012), respectively, while the NPG had a significant
decrease of the time effect (p = 0.001) for BMI, although there was no
significance (p = 0.088) for this parameter in the HPG.
Table
II - Anthropometric and body composition data before
and after the 8-week intervention period
BM
= body mass; BMI = body mass index; WC = waist circumference; WHtR = waist-to-height ratio; CG = control group; HPG =
high-protein group; NPG = normoproteic group. Results
expressed as mean (standard error). *P <0.05, significant difference Pre vs.
Post (Generalized Estimation Equations)
Table III presents the results based on GEE, in which we can affirm that
there was no effect of time or interaction for all variables related to android
tissue distribution (Total Android Tissue, TAT; Lean Android Tissue, LAT;
Android Adipose Tissue, AAT (Android Adipose Tissue Percentage, AAT%).
Table
III - Data on lean and fat distribution in the
abdominal region before and after the eight-week intervention period
TAT
= Total Android Tissue; LAT = Lean Android Tissue; AAT = Android Adipose
Tissue; TAA% = Android Adipose Tissue Percentage; CG = control group; GHP =
high-protein group; GNP = normoproteic group. Results
expressed as mean (standard error) (Generalized Estimation Equations)
The main finding of this study was that modifying dietary patterns
(high-protein or normoproteic) with a restriction of
300 kcal/day and associated with eight weeks of strength training in older
adult women who were overweight/obese was not enough to significantly change
cardiovascular risk and android adipose tissue indicators. However, a
significant decrease in BMI and fat percentage was observed (and not in android
adipose tissue) regardless of the dietary pattern, indicating that caloric
restriction may be a major factor in changing body composition during the
proposed intervention scope.
Studies have long shown that increased visceral adipose tissue (as well
as excess body weight) is a poor health indicator due to its strong association
with peripheral insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and cardiometabolic diseases
[19]. In fact, a decrease in cardiovascular risk occurs with a reduction of
visceral adipose tissue, and its alteration is as important as a reduction in
total body weight in the treatment of obesity [20]. One of the methods used to
predict cardiovascular risk is anthropometric measurements of waist
circumference (WC) and waist-height ratio (WHtR)
[16].
The two dietary patterns (high-protein, 1.8g PTN/kg/day and normoproteic, 1.0g PTN/kg/day, both with reduction of 300 kcal)
in association with resistance training in the present study did not promote
enough alterations for there to be a change in the CVR classification of the
older adults, but both WC and WHtR significantly
increased their rates in the control group (Table II). Thus, although the two
dietary patterns did not improve such indicators, the control group increased
the chances of a cardiovascular event even further. Therefore, even though the
HPG and NPG older women remained at cardiovascular risk, there was no increase
in CVR with the interventions (diet, caloric restriction and RT) compared to
the CG.
A study by López-Domenech et al. [21] submitted 59 obese
individuals to caloric restriction for six months and observed improvement in
anthropometric, metabolic parameters and reduction in inflammatory response,
therefore showing improvement in atherosclerotic markers, suggesting a
reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. In a systematic review and
meta-analysis, Cioffo et al. [22] evaluated 11
studies with a total of 528 participants (most of them women) divided into two
groups; one overweight and one obese. In conclusion, it was seen that dietary
restriction had a beneficial effect on weight loss and metabolic improvements.
Several previous studies highlight the importance of dietary adherence
and its influence on the success of the intervention, and there seems to be a
direct relationship between adherence and weight loss [19]. The findings
obtained in this intervention suggest a low adherence to diet, since there were
individual differences ranging from -7.4 to + 1.2 kg in total mass between the
pre and post intervention moments for the HPG and NPG (data not shown), which
may represent a greater adherence to the dietary strategy in those who were
successful in total body weight loss. This may have been due to the maintenance
of a longer caloric deficit by some older women.
In a study conducted by Calugi et al.
[24], it was observed that individuals aged 18-65 years who showed higher
adherence to the diet tended to lose more weight and maintained this loss,
while individuals who presented low adherence to the diet showed lower weight
loss and a consequent dissatisfaction with this condition. Other studies also
corroborate this premise and have shown similar results, which confirms the
importance of adhering to the program in order to succeed in achieving its goal
[25].
A statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was observed in the normoproteic group regarding body mass, similar to the
study by Christensen et al. [26] in which the whole population sample
had changes in fat-free mass and total body mass, as well as improvement in
anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and metabolic profile. However, the
authors point out that rapid weight loss (within eight weeks) would be in fact
beneficial for maintaining body weight and future cardiovascular health. As previously
stated, it is noteworthy that the findings of the present study did not
contribute to a decrease in cardiovascular risk of the older adult
participants.
Another point which deserves attention concerns the significant decrease
in BMI and fat percentage in both groups (HPG and NPG). Even with differences
in protein intake, both obtained reductions in these parameters, reflecting
that caloric restriction is the predominant body change factor when compared to
variations of a macronutrient. The study by Anton et al. [27] used
fasting as a calorie restriction strategy in overweight sedentary older adults.
The participants obtained changes in body mass and waist circumference as a
result of the study, among other parameters. However, there is a caveat if the
decrease in body mass was due to the loss of fat mass or lean mass. The study
by Beavers et al. [28] observed reductions in fat percentage in obese
older adults aged 65-79 years undergoing an intervention with calorie
restriction and high protein content.
In a study performed by Melanson et al.
[29], overweight and/or obese sedentary adults were allocated into three groups
and submitted to different dietary approaches, all with energy restriction for
12 weeks. The result for weight loss and improvements in body composition was
significant for all groups, reinforcing the hypothesis that BMI and body mass
reductions are obtained with energy value equity, even with macronutrient
variations.
Regarding the effects of resistance training intervention combined with
calorie restriction on total mass and body composition behavior, Nicklas et al.
[30] observed a greater decrease in total mass, fat mass, and fat percentage in
individuals who combined both strategies when compared to those who only performed
resistance training. These results corroborate those reported by Normandin et al. [31], in which a greater weight
reduction was observed when resistance training was combined with caloric
restriction, and more significant changes in cardiovascular risk parameters
were observed when compared to changes observed in the group that did not
undergo caloric restriction. Borges et al. [9] did not observe
differences in the effects of interventions involving physical exercise and/or
diet on intra-abdominal adipose tissue when equalizing caloric expenditure
[32,33]. These results corroborate the literature, since changes in body mass
and its composition are directly related to the daily energy balance [34].
When comparing the pre and post intervention moments, the older adult
participants of the high-protein group (HPG) and the normoproteic
group (NPG) generally had a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI), body
mass (kg) and in fat percentage (FAT%) when compared to the control group (CG).
This reflects better quality in body composition with dietary intervention,
since all groups underwent strength training. Although the cardiovascular risk
was maintained above the cut-off point of the WC and WHtR
indicators for the HPG and NPG, there was an increase in the CG, inferring that
the intervention time was insufficient and adherence to the diet was
compromised.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study demonstrated that a prescriptive diet with
different protein intake patterns and caloric restriction associated with
resistance training for eight weeks does not seem to be effective in decreasing
many cardiovascular risk factors such as android adipose tissue in older women.
Thus, nutritional strategies should be rethought for this population, as well as
offering longer intervention periods so that their effects on the analyzed
parameters can be effectively verified.
Conflict
of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Authors'
contributions
Conception and design of the research: Costa AS, Souto
VF. Obtaining data: Souto VF, Silva CA, Lins NCM, Araujo MLD. Analysis and interpretation of data:
Costa AS, Souto VF. Statistical analysis: Costa AS.
Writing of the manuscript: Souto VF. Critical review
of the manuscript: Costa AS, Souto VF, Silva CA, Lins NCM, Araujo MLD.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Research Group on Physical Exercise, Nutrition and Central
Nervous System (GENSC) for all the support provided for the development of the
research. We also thank the Advanced Laboratory of Physical Education and
Health (LAEFES), of the Department of Physical Education – UFPE, for making
space available for the resistance training intervention, and the volunteers
for participating in the study.