Age-related changes in resting energy expenditure in normal weight,overweight and obese men and women

ObjectivesAging is associated with changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) and body composition. We investigated the association between age and changes in REE in men and women stratified by body mass index (BMI) categories (normal weight, overweight and obesity). We also examined whether the age-related decline in REE was explained by concomitant changes in body composition and lifestyle factors.Study designCross-sectional.Main outcome measures3442 adult participants (age range: 18–81 y; men/women: 977/2465) were included. The BMI range was 18.5–60.2 kg/m². REE was measured by indirect calorimetry in fasting conditions and body composition by bioelectrical impedance. Regression models were used to evaluate age-related changes in REE in subjects stratified by sex and BMI. Models were adjusted for body composition (fat mass, fat free mass), smoking, disease count and physical activity.ResultsIn unadjusted models, the rate of decline in REE was highest in obese men (slope = −8.7 ± 0.8 kcal/day/year) whereas the lowest rate of decline was observed in normal weight women (−2.9 ± 0.3 kcal/day/year). Gender differences were observed for the age of onset of REE adaptive changes (i.e., not accounted by age related changes in body composition and lifestyle factors). In women, adaptive changes appeared to occur in middle-age (∼47 y) across all BMI groups whereas changes seemed to be delayed in obese men (∼54 y) compared to overweight (∼43 y) and normal weight (∼39 y) men.ConclusionsSex and BMI influenced the rate and degree of the age-related decline in REE. Critical age windows have been identified for the onset of putative mechanisms of energy adaptation. These findings require confirmation in prospective studies.     

Lipid and lipoprotein profiles, cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and diet during and after resistance, aerobic and combination training in young women

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various modes of training on the time-course of changes in lipoprotein-lipid profiles in the blood, cardiovascular fitness, and body composition after 16 weeks of training and 6 weeks of detraining in young women. A group of 48 sedentary but healthy women [mean age 20.4 (SD 1) years] were matched and randomly placed into a control group (CG, n=12), an aerobic training group (ATG, n=12), a resistance training group (RTG, n=12), or a cross-training group that combined both aerobic and resistance training (XTG, n=12). The ATG, RTG and XTG trained for 16 weeks and were monitored for changes in blood concentrations of lipoprotein-lipids, cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and dietary composition throughout a 16 week period of training and 6 weeks of detraining. The ATG significantly reduced blood concentrations of triglycerides (TRI) (P < 0.05) and significantly increased blood concentrations of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) after 16 weeks of training. The correlation between percentage fat and HDL-C was 0.63 (P < 0.05), which explained 40% of the variation in HDL-C, while the correlation between maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_2max) and HDL-C was 0.48 (P < 0.05), which explained 23% of the variation in HDL-C. The ATG increased V˙O_2max by 25% (P < 0.001) and decreased percentage body fat by 13% (P < 0.05) after 16 weeks. Each of the alterations in the ATG had disappeared after the 6 week detraining period. The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), TRI, HDL-C and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in the blood did not change during the study in RTG, XTG and CG. The RTG increased upper and lower body strength by 29% (P < 0.001) and 38%, respectively. The 6 week detraining strength values obtained in RTG were significantly greater than those obtained at baseline. The XTG increased upper and lower body strength by 19% (P < 0.01) and 25% (P < 0.001), respectively. The 6 week detraining strength values obtained in XTG were significantly greater than those obtained at baseline. The RTG, XTG and CG did not demonstrate any significant changes in either V˙O_2max, or body composition during the training and detraining periods. The results of this study suggest that aerobic-type exercise improves lipoprotein-lipid profiles, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in healthy, young women, while resistance training significantly improved upper and lower body strength only. Accepted: 9 April 2000     

During intense exercise, obese women rely more than lean women on aerobic energy

 A series of untrained, healthy, obese women (body mass index 32.5 ± 0.9 kg·m^–2) were subjected to a protocol of intense exercise on a cycloergometer and compared with lean controls (body mass index 20.9 ± 0.5 kg·m^–2). Physiological parameters, blood lactate, bicarbonate, plasma metabolites, oxygen consumption and CO₂ production were measured. Impedance-derived extracellular water and plasma changes in lactate and bicarbonate were used to determine changes in bicarbonate pools and lactate-displaced CO₂. From these and respiratory gases, the respiratory quotient was calculated and thence overall fuel consumption. Anaerobic energy during exercise accounted for about 1.8% of all energy consumed in the lean but only 0.7% in the obese. Obese women fatigued at lower workloads and energy expenditure levels than did the lean, and their lactate buildup was similar when compared on the basis of fat-free mass. The data support the postulation of fatigue being triggered by a combination of factors: stretched cardiovascular work would be the main factor for obese women, in part limiting lactate production. For lean women, the triggering factor for fatigue could be the loss of buffering capacity; but it is the combination of stretching cardiovascular capacity, exhaustion of glycogen and available glucose and increase in lactate/loss of bicarbonate buffer that determines the onset of fatigue. Received: 10 December 1996 / Received after revision: 26 May 1997 / Accepted: 20 October 1997     

A meta-analysis of the effects of exercise and/or dietary restriction on resting metabolic rate

A meta-analysis was used to examine the independent and interactive effects of dietary restriction, endurance exercise training and gender on resting metabolic rate (RMR). Sixty different group means (covering 650 subjects) were identified from the scientific literature and subjected to meta-analysis techniques. Collectively (i.e., all groups combined), body weight loss was greater (P < 0.05) for men ( 18 kg) than for women ( 12 kg). There were no statistically significant exercise training or gender effects on RMR during weight loss. Collectively (i.e., all groups combined), dietary restriction resulted in a – 0.59 kJ min^–1 ( – 12%) decrease in RMR (P < 0.05). When normalized to body weight, RMR was reduced by less than 2% (P < 0.05). These data suggest that exercise training does not differentially affect RMR during diet-induced weight loss. In addition, decreases in resting metabolism appear to be proportional to the loss of the metabolically active tissue.     

Acute effects of resistance exercise and intermittent intense aerobic exercise on blood cell count and oxidative stress in trained middle-aged women

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of an intermittent intense aerobic exercise session and a resistance exercise session on blood cell counts and oxidative stress parameters in middle-aged women. Thirty-four women were selected and divided into three groups: RE group (performing 60 min of resistance exercises, N = 12), spinning group (performing 60 min of spinning, N = 12), and control group (not exercising regularly, N = 10). In both exercise groups, lymphocytes and monocytes decreased after 1-h recuperation (post-exercise) compared to immediately after exercise (P < 0.05). Immediately after exercise, in both exercised groups, a significant increase in TBARS (from 16.5 ± 2 to 25 ± 2 for the spinning group and from 18.6 ± 1 to 28.2 ± 3 nmol MDA/mL serum for the RE group) and protein carbonyl (from 1.0 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 0.2 for the spinning group and from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 1.5 ± 0.2 nmol/mg protein for the RE group) was observed (P < 0.05). A decrease in antioxidant activities (non-protein sulfhydryl, superoxide dismutase, catalase) was also demonstrated with a negative correlation between damage markers and antioxidant body defenses (P < 0.05). These results indicate that an acute bout of intermittent or anaerobic exercise induces immune suppression and increases the production of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress in middle-aged and trained women. Furthermore, we demonstrated that trained women show improved antioxidant capacity and lower oxidative damage than sedentary ones, demonstrating the benefits of chronic regular physical activity.     

Effects of soy protein and resistance exercise on body composition and blood lipids in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of soy protein and progressive resistance training on body composition and lipids in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: In a controlled trial, 46 postmenopausal women were randomized to one of four groups: 25 g of soy protein (SP, n=10), 25 g of soy protein plus resistance exercise (SPE, n=14), 25 g of maltodextrine (placebo) (PL, n=11), or placebo plus resistance exercise (PLE, n=11). Progressive resistance training was held three times a week for 16 weeks and included 8 exercises (3 series of 8-12 repetitions). At baseline and after 16 weeks, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), body fat, muscle mass and serum lipid levels were measured. To confirm isoflavone absorption, urinary concentrations were determined. The t-test of Student and ANOVA were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Subjects were classified as overweight and showed android fat distribution. Urinary isoflavone excretion indicated compliance to soy protein treatment. After 16 weeks of intervention, both SPE and PLE groups showed a significant increase of 1.3 kg in muscle mass and reduction in WC of -1.4 and -2.1cm, respectively (p<0.05). Significant decreases in the mean values of total cholesterol and LDL (-29.0 and -24.0 mg/dL, p<0.001 and p<0.006, respectively) were observed in the users of soy protein alone (SP). CONCLUSIONS: Soy protein supplementation did not influence the indicators of body composition. However, it exerted possible favorable effects on lipid profile in postmenopausal women. The increase in muscle mass and reduction in abdominal fat were correlated with resistance training.     

Effect of concurrent aerobic and resistance circuit exercise training on fitness in older adults

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological effects of a programmed accommodating circuit exercise (PACE) program consisting of aerobic exercise and hydraulic-resistance exercise (HRE) on fitness in older adults. Thirty-five volunteers were randomly divided into two groups [PACE group (PG) 8 men and 10 women, 68.3 (4.9) years, and non-exercise control group (CG) 7 men and 10 women, 68.0 (3.4) years). The PG participated in a 12-week, 3 days per week supervised program consisting of 10 min warm-up and 30 min of PACE (moderate intensity HRE and aerobic movements at 70% of peak heart rate) followed by 10 min cool-down exercise. PACE increased (P<0.05) oxygen uptake (O₂) at lactate threshold [PG, pre 0.79 (0.20) l min^–1, post 1.02 (0.22) l min^–1, 29%; CG, pre 0.87 (0.14) l min^–1, post 0.85 (0.15) l min^–1, –2%] and at peak O₂ [PG, pre 1.36 (0.24) l min^–1, post 1.56 (0.28) l min^–1, 15%; CG, pre 1.32 (0.29) l min^–1, post 1.37 (0.37) l min^–1, 4%] in PG measured using an incremental cycle ergometer. Muscular strength evaluated by a HRE machine increased at low to high resistance dial settings for knee extension (9–52%), knee flexion (14–76%), back extension (18–92%) and flexion (50–70%), chest pull (6–28%) and press (3–17%), shoulder press (18–31%) and pull (26–85%), and leg press (21%). Body fat (sum of three skinfolds) decreased (16%), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) increased (10.9 mg dl^–1) for PG. There were no changes in any variables for CG. These results indicate that PACE training incorporating aerobic exercise and HRE elicits significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, body composition, and HDLC for older adults. Therefore, PACE training is an effective well-rounded exercise program that can be utilized as a means to improve health-related components of fitness in older adults.     

Effects of tibolone on body composition in postmenopausal women: a 1-year follow up study

Objective: We investigated the effects of 1-year tibolone treatment on body weight, body composition and indices of android obesity in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Forty-four postmenopausal women participated in this open-label controlled study; mean age was 51.8 ± 2.21 years and all women were menopausal for 3.8 ± 1.40 years. Twenty-two of them started taking 2.5 mg tibolone (TIB) daily for 1 year, whereas the remaining 22 served as age-matched controls. All subjects underwent a structured interview, physical examination, body composition measurements performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) — Hologic QDR 4500 A, as well as bioelectrical body impedance analysis (BI) — Tanita TBF-215, Japan.

Results: The TIB group did not significantly increase their weight (+0.4 kg), while the non-treated controls increased their mean weight by 1.4 kg (p = 0.046). In the TIB group, DXA showed a non-significant body fat decrease by a mean of 0.5 kg and a non-significant lean mass increase by 0.8 kg, while in the control group, fat mass increased by 1.7 kg (p = 0.032) and lean mass did not change. BI revealed that the TIB group had lost some fat (≈0.6 kg, n.s.) and put some free-fat mass (≈1.0 kg, p = 0.048) without changes in total body water. The control group put on some fat (≈1.1 kg, p = 0.042) and lost some body water (≈0.4 kg, n.s.).

Conclusion: Results from both methods of measuring body composition show a similar trend: a decrease in fat mass and an increase in lean mass in TIB treated subjects. From the body composition perspective, tibolone may be regarded as a preferential alternative to conventional hormonal therapy (HT) in postmenopausal women.     

Effects of a nutritional intervention in obese postmenopausal women on atypical antipsychotics

Objectives

To investigate the effects of a nutritional intervention on the body weight, body composition, blood glucose and lipid levels of obese postmenopausal women taking atypical antipsychotics in Greece.

Study design

In a case–control design, 25 obese postmenopausal women treated with antipsychotic medications and 28 obese healthy comparisons were followed for 3 months. A nutritional program was individually designed for each participant.

Main outcome measures

At baseline and at 3 months of the study, anthropometric, body composition, blood glucose and lipid measurements were performed.

Results

Significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat and waist circumference were found both in the patients and their healthy comparisons from baseline to 3 months (P < 0.05). Patients reduced significantly less their BMI (P = 0.044) and body fat percentage compared to the healthy women (P = 0.023). Waist circumference was significantly reduced in both subject groups, with no significant difference found between them (P = 0.07). Glucose and lipid levels were not altered during the intervention in the patients’ group, while significant changes were observed in the healthy women in total cholesterol (P = 0.016), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.022) and triglycerides (P = 0.042).

Conclusions

Obese postmenopausal women on atypical antipsychotic medication appear to respond favorably to a nutritional program. The improvements seen in BMI and body fat are attenuated in the patients compared to their healthy counterparts; moreover no change in lipid levels was found in the patients’ group. These findings suggest that atypical antipsychotics may play an adverse role in fat loss and lipid metabolism in this population.     

Difference in the effects of body composition on bone mineral density between pre- and postmenopausal women

Objective: This study was to investigate whether the effect of lean and fat mass component on bone mineral density (BMD) differs between pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and methods: Subjects were 360 pre- and 193 postmenopausal Japanese women with right side dominance. Age, height, and years since menopause (YSM, in postmenopausal women) were recorded. Body fat and lean body mass were measured by whole body scanning with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). BMD of the vertical axis (L2-4 of the lumbar spine, pelvis, bilateral legs, and total body) and horizontal axis (arms) were also measured by DEXA. Results: In premenopausal women, lean body mass was independently correlated with BMD of the left arm (partial correlation COEFFICIENT=0.417), right arm (0.430), L2-4 (0.285), pelvis (0.276), left leg (0.403), right leg (0.412), and total body (0.377) (P<0.001). However, body fat mass was not correlated with several BMD sites except for pelvis BMD (0.187, P<0.01). In postmenopausal women, body fat mass was independently correlated with BMD of the left arm (0.248, P<0.01), L2-4 (0.188, P<0.05), pelvis (0.263, P<0.01), left leg (0.228, P<0.01), right leg (0.319, P<0.001), and total body (0.188, P<0.01)). However, lean body mass was correlated with BMD in only three segmental regions including left arm (0.175), right arm (0.217), and left leg (0.210; P<0.05). Conclusion: Lean body mass is a significant determinant of BMD in premenopausal women, while body fat mass is a significant determinant in postmenopausal women.     

运动与绝经后女性骨强度、体成分及性激素的关系

目的 探讨运动对兰州市汉族绝经后女性骨强度、体成分及性激素的影响.方法 2018年1月～2019年6月,采用随机整群抽样选取兰州市汉族绝经后女性233例(运动组110例,非运动组123例),采用超声骨密度仪、生物电阻抗分析仪及电化学发光全自动免疫分析仪,分别测量跟骨骨强度、体成分和性激素.结果 兰州市汉族绝经后运动组女...     

有氧运动对轻度原发性高血压患者血压和甲襞微循环的影响

目的研究有氧运动对轻度原发性高血压患者血压和甲襞微循环的影响。方法随机选取轻度原发性高血压患者21例为高血压组,同期健康体检者20例为正常对照组。高血压组进行规律的有氧运动训练,检测有氧运动前后血压、甲襞微循环的变化。结果高血压组甲襞微循环形态积分、流态积分、襻周状态积分和总积分值均高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）。有氧运动3个月后,高血压患者血压下降,甲襞微循环形态积分、流态积分、襻周状态积分和总积分值均降低（P〈0．05）。结论有氧运动能有效降低轻度原发性高血压患者的血压,改善其微循环状态。     

Effect of percutaneous androgen replacement therapy on body composition and body weight in postmenopausal women

Objectives: This study was carried out to assess the effect of topical androgen replacement therapy on body weight, body composition and fat distribution in postmenopausal women. Methods: 39 healthy postmenopausal women (51.4±2.24 years), with increasing body weight, were prospectively studied for 6 months. Body composition (fat mass, kg, %) was measured by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Hormonal and lipid parameters were also measured. Subjects were divided into two groups. An androgen gel (group A) or placebo gel (group P) was topically administered to the abdominal and gluteo-femoral regions. DXA was performed before commencement of topical treatment and after 6 months. Results: A highly significant total body weight reduction was found in group A (68.0±13.1 to 65.4±11.8 kg). Abdominal fat (37.3±11.2 to 35.1±9.7%), gluteo-femoral fat (46.3±6.6 to 45.4±7.7%), total body fat (38.2±7.9 to 36.1±8.6%) and BMI (24.8±4.3 to 23.7±3.8) were also found to have decreased significantly in this group. No significant reduction in body weight (kg) and body fat (%) could be measured in the placebo group. No influence on lipid parameters was found although total testosterone increased significantly in group A (0.29±0.24 to 0.72±0.17 ng/ml). Conclusions: Topically applied androgen is capable of reducing abdominal fat accumulations as well as total body weight in postmenopausal women with unexplained weight gain. In contrast to systemic androgen application, topical administration has no effect on the lipid profile. Gluteal fat, however, is less effectively influenced by androgens.     

东乡族成年女性绝经前后骨强度和体成分特征及其相关性

目的 分析东乡族成年女性绝经前后骨强度和体成分变化并探讨体成分变化对骨强度的影响。 方法 2016年9月~2018年7月采用随机整群抽样选取甘肃省东乡族41～50岁成年女性203例（绝经前102例,绝经后101例）,采用超声骨密度仪、生物电阻抗分析仪分别测量跟骨骨强度和体成分指标。 结果 东乡族绝经后女性的骨强度、肌肉组织体成分低于绝经前（P<0.05）;脂肪组织体成分高于绝经前（P<0.01）。东乡族绝经后女性骨质疏松的患病率高于绝经前（P<0.01）。Pearson 相关分析显示,绝经前后女性的骨强度均与肌肉组织体成分正相关（P<0.01）,与脂肪组织体成分负相关（P<0.01）。多元线性逐步回归分析显示,四肢肌肉量是东乡族女性骨强度的保护性因素,皮下脂肪含量是骨强度下降的危险因素。 结论 肌肉以及脂肪组织共同决定着东乡族女性的骨强度且与体成分分布部位有关,但两者的关系不受绝经状态的影响。绝经是东乡族女性骨质疏松发生的重要影响因素,应加强绝经后女性骨质疏松的防控。加强肢体锻炼,增加四肢肌肉量,减少皮下脂肪,有助于提高东乡族绝经前、后女性骨强度,预防骨质疏松。     

Effects of diet and exercise training on thermogenesis in adult female rats

The effects of a cafeteria diet on body weight gain, food intake, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and the thermic effect of food (TEF) were compared in female Charles River albino rats that were either sedentary or exercise-trained. The food intakes of the exercise-trained rats on the cafeteria diet were increased to the same degree as those of the sedentary rats, however, they gained less body weight and body fat than sedentary controls. The exercise training increased RMR independent of diet, but differentially increased TEF in rats given the cafeteria diet. Conversely, sedentary rats on the cafeteria diet had significantly lower RMR, but their TEF were not different from control animals on lab chow. Thus, in addition to the direct cost of the exercise, training increased thermogenesis (RMR and TEF) which also helped prevent the dietary obesity which normally occurs with cafeteria diets.     

抗阻训练对绝经后女性身体成分、膝关节肌肉力量及动态平衡能力的影响

目的：探讨抗阻训练对绝经后女性身体成分、膝关节屈伸肌力及动态平衡能力的影响。方法：将25 名绝 经女性随机分为抗阻训练组和对照组,抗阻训练前后测试绝经后女性身体成分（ 体质量、体脂肪量、肌肉量、左 右下肢肌肉量）,左、右膝关节屈、伸肌力及动态平衡能力。结果：12 周抗阻训练可使绝经后女性体脂肪量显著 下降,左右下肢肌肉量及全身肌肉量均显著增加,而体质量在抗阻训练前后无显著差异;此外,12 周抗阻训练可 使绝经后女性左、右膝关节屈、伸肌肌力显著增加,闭眼状态下总体稳定指数、前后方向稳定指数及左右方向稳 定指数显著下降。结论：12 周抗阻训练可显著降低绝经后女性身体脂肪量、增加下肢肌肉量及膝关节肌肉力量, 改善动态平衡能力,对于预防绝经后女性跌倒及提高绝经后女性生存质量有重要意义。     

Effects of excessive caloric intake and caloric restriction on body weight and energy expenditure at rest and light exercise

The individual response to overeating and semistarvation on energy expenditure at rest and light work before and after a test meal was investigated. This response was related to the change in dry body weight, measured as weight (W) minus total body water (TBW). Experiments were performed on 9 non-obese subjects: (a) with a normal habitual energy intake; (b) (overfeeding) with an extra energy intake of 12 MJ per day for two weeks; and (c) (semistarving) with an energy intake of only 2.1 MJ per day for 2 weeks. Measurements of VO₂, VCO₂. W and TBW were obtained at the end of each of the three periods. It was found that the perturbation in energy intake from normal to 20–25 MJ per day increased the energy expenditure. The magnitude of this increase was highly individual and inversely related to the change in dry body weight. Energy expenditure, measured under the four standardized conditions, after 2 weeks of semistarvation was lower than that obtained after the preceding overeating period. This decrease was also roughly inversely related to the change in dry body weight. The results support the idea that part of the regulation of body energy content takes place by way of a change in the efficiency of energy utilization and that the response to a perturbed energy intake varies considerably between subjects.     

Effects of intensive aerobic exercise on stress reactivity and myocardial morphology in rats

The effects of intensive aerobic exercise, weight control, and no treatment on (1) stress reactivity (measured by weight loss, glucocorticoid elevation, and incidence of gastric lesions) and (2) myocardial morphology were compared in male Sprague-Dawley ulcer susceptible rats. Animals were allocated to a free-feeding exercise group aerobically conditioned by a 26 week treadmill-running program; a sedentary group whose mean body weight was made to parallel that of the exercise group; and a free-feeding sedentary group. In week 27 animals were stressed for five days with daily presentation of escape trials on a variable interval schedule. Differences were found between the heart tissues of the exercised and the sedentary animals: both sedentary groups evidenced adverse morphological changes in ventricular tissue and microcirculation, while the myocardia of the exercise group were completely free of such changes. In response to the stress procedure significant differentiation between groups was obtained only on the weight index. After an initial loss, the exercise group commenced to gain weight on the fourth stress day, while the control groups continued to lose weight.     

Influence of genetic taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), dietary restraint and disinhibition on body mass index in middle-aged women

A previous study from our laboratory reported a small, inverse association between taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) and body mass index (BMI) among lean, young-adult males. Weaknesses in study design precluded making this same observation in females. To overcome these shortcomings, the present study investigated this relationship in older, heavier women characterized by dietary restraint and disinhibition. We tested the hypothesis that lower taste sensitivity to PROP would be associated with higher BMI but that high dietary restraint would mask this association. Thus, no relationship between taster status and BMI was expected in those with high dietary restraint. Eighty-six, middle-aged women (39.0+/-1.0 years) with a mean BMI of 27.4+/-0.8 participated. They were classified as PROP nontasters (n=23), medium tasters (n=32) or supertasters (n=31). Initial analyses revealed that disinhibition had a strong positive influence on BMI that was unrelated to PROP status (P< or =.001). After adjusting for disinhibition, a strong interaction between PROP status and restraint on BMI was noted. Among women with low dietary restraint, nontasters (P< or =.01) and medium tasters (P< or =.05) were heavier than supertasters by 6 and 4 adjusted BMI units, respectively. No differences in BMI were found across taster groups in women with high dietary restraint. These data confirm that the inverse association between PROP status and BMI reported earlier in men is also present in women and that this relationship becomes apparent when variables relevant to eating behavior in women are taken into consideration. These findings are discussed in the context of emerging theories relating genetic differences in taste to fat acceptance, fat intake and body weight.     

Effects of moderate dietary manipulation on intermittent exercise performance and metabolism in women

The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of a moderate alteration in pre-exercise diet composition on the performance of, and metabolic response to, intermittent treadmill exercise in a group of normally menstruating females. Eight recreationally active women performed two intermittent, incremental exercise trials, one preceded by 2 days of a high [61 (1)%] carbohydrate (CHO) diet and the other by 2 days of a low [31 (1)%] CHO diet. Oxygen uptake (VO₂) was measured during, and blood samples were obtained immediately after, each bout for the determination of blood lactate, glucose, glycerol, plasma free fatty acids and plasma ammonia. Performance, as assessed by time to exhaustion in the final bout, was found to be similar whether preceded by a high- or low-CHO diet [median (range): 28.0 (18–54) s, 29 (18–54) s, respectively]. No significant between trial differences were found in VO₂, heart rate, or any of the blood metabolites. The results of the current study indicate that moderate alterations of pre-exercise diet do not affect intermittent, high-intensity exercise performance in women, despite some evidence of an alteration in the pattern of the metabolic response to exercise. Accepted: 7 September 1999