Body Composition Changes after a Weight Loss Intervention: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study.

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Obesity research
• Body composition analysis

Background:

• Long-term weight maintenance remains a challenge despite various exercise interventions.
• Obesity requires effective strategies for sustainable body composition changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the long-term effects of different exercise modalities combined with diet on body composition in overweight and obese adults.
• To assess body composition changes immediately post-intervention and at a 3-year follow-up.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month intervention involving diet and exercise was conducted with 239 overweight/obese adults.
• Participants were randomized into four groups: strength (S), endurance (E), combined strength and endurance (SE), and control (C).
• Body composition was measured at baseline, post-intervention (22 weeks), and 3 years later.

Main Results:

• A significant interaction effect (group × time) was found for fat mass percentage (p = 0.017).
• The combined strength and endurance group showed a sustained decrease in fat mass percentage at 3 years compared to baseline (p < 0.05).
• Other groups showed fat mass percentage returning to baseline levels by the 3-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Combined strength and endurance training, alongside diet, is superior for achieving and maintaining reduced fat mass in overweight and obese individuals.
• This exercise modality offers a promising strategy for long-term body composition management in obesity.
• Individual exercise types alone do not appear to provide lasting benefits for fat mass reduction beyond the intervention period.