Assessing Readiness to Lose Weight among Obese Women Attending the Nutrition Clinic

Background: Assessing individual’s readiness to change and targeting the intervention to the level of readiness may improve successful weight loss rates. This study aimed to assess readiness for weight loss in obese women using the trans theoretical model. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 volunteer apparently healthy obese women, in Ardabil, Iran. Participants completed the translated and validated University of Rhode Island Change Assessment questionnaire in their first visit. Subjects were categorized into one of the stages of change based on the highest of four z-transformed scale scores. The readiness to change score was calculated. Results: More than half of the participants were in early stages of weight loss and 24.5% were in the action stage. The readiness score in the precontemplation stage was significantly lower than the other stages, but no significant difference was observed among the contemplation, action and maintenance stages. The significant correlation was observed between the stages of change and waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.33, P<0.05). Conclusion: Obese women attending the nutrition clinic are in different stages to change for weight loss. Understanding person specific stages of change orientates the dietitian to use the most appropriate counseling strategies. Hence the stages and readiness to change should be considered before implementing any intervention in clinical settings for optimal outcomes

Assessing Anthropometric Changes during 8 Weeks Individualized Balanced Low Calorie Diet in Obese Women

Background & objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate 8 weeks individualized balanced low calorie diet on anthropometric measurements in apparently healthy obese women. Methods: Forty apparently healthy obese women (age: 18-40 years and 27.5≤BMI≤40 kg/m2) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in Ardabil city. The participants received a balanced low calorie diet after anthropometric measurements. Paired T-test was used to compare the changes during 8 - week intervention. Results: Individualized balanced low calorie diet resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (-3.99±0.34 kg, p<0.001), body mass index (-1.61±0.14 kg/m2, p<0.001), waist circumference (-2.91±0.32 cm, p<0.001), hip circumference (-1.89±0.37 cm, p<0.001), waist to hip ratio (-0.01±0.004, p=0.001), waist to stature ratio (-0.02±0.002, p<0.001), body adiposity index (-0.97±0.15%, p<0.001), abdominal volume index (-1.07±0.11, p<0.001) and conicity index (-0.007±0.002, p=0.001) during 8 weeks. Conclusion: Based on the results, an individualized balanced low calorie diet induced weight loss and decreased other anthropometric measurements during 8 weeks. Balanced low calorie diet-induced moderate weight loss alone can be a good way to reduce metabolic risk factors in obese women.

The Effects of Balanced Low Calorie Diet on Weight Loss and Insulin Resistance among Obese Women in Ardabil City

Background & Objectives: Obesity is associated with metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance. Weight loss is always recommended for meaningful reduction in these abnormalities. Therefore, we examined the effects of balanced low calorie diet on weight loss, fasting insulin and insulin resistance in obese women attending the nutrition clinic. Methods: In this clinical trial, forty five volunteer apparently healthy obese women (body mass index: 33.28 &plusmn; 2.90 kg/m2 and age: 28.40 &plusmn; 7.98 years) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in their first visit. The participants were received a balanced low calorie diet over 6 months after anthropometry measurement and blood sampling for determination of fasting insulin and insulin resistance level. Balanced low calorie diet was an individualized diet with an energy deficit of 500 calories of daily energy intake that was calculated from 3-day food records for every person. At 6 months after intervention, continuous and dichotomous variables were assessed using paired t-test and McNemar test, respectively. Results: The mean recommended energy intake was 2241.78 &plusmn; 219.02(kcal). After 6 months, there were significant reductions in body weight (p=0.003), body mass index (p=0.005), waist and hip circumferences (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was also significant improvement in fasting insulin level (13.47 &plusmn; 6.55 vs. 11.95 &plusmn; 4.17 &micro;U/ml, p=0.01). Whereas, insulin resistance had not significant reduction (p=0.1). Conclusion: In obese women attending the nutrition clinic, the balanced low calorie diet resulted in weight loss and improvement in fasting insulin. These positive changes can help to decrease the risk factor profile in obese individuals