To evaluate the efficacy of a low carbohydrate diet on body composition and cardiometabolic markers in overweight women undergoing endurance physical training.
A randomized, controlled clinical trial included 24 overweight women, 8 of whom consumed low-calorie diets containing an adequate carbohydrate content, while 16 consumed a low carbohydrate diet. The women regularly performed semi-supervised physical exercise (walking/running) for 12 weeks. Body composition (weight, abdominal and hip circumferences) and cardiometabolic parameters were analyzed. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance with the Bonferroni post-hoc test. A p value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.
After 12 weeks, both groups exhibited significant reductions (p < 0.05) in body mass (A-CHO: - 9.86%; L-CHO: - 8.48%), abdominal (A-CHO: - 7.48%; L-CHO: - 8.05%) and hip circumferences, fat percentage (A-CHO: - 7.32%; L-CHO: - 9.15%), and liver function marker levels (AST: A-CHO: - 12.24%; L-CHO: - 11.26%; ALT: A-CHO: - 6.48%; L-CHO: - 11.93%), as well as improved lipid profiles. However, no differences were observed in the anthropometric and biochemical variables regarding to the carbohydrate content (p > 0.05).
The combination of a hypocaloric diets with jogging effectively promoted weight loss and improved cardiometabolic risk parameters, regardless of the carbohydrate content of the diet.
Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No. RBR-5n9g5f).