Objective: To examine the effect physical activity included in a weight loss program has on high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in sedentary overweight women.
Design, Setting, and Participants: This study examined the change in hs-CRP in overweight and obese women in response to a 6 month behavioral weight loss program. The parent study was a randomized trial involving 201 sedentary overweight women who participated in a weight control program, with data from 182 subjects available for this secondary analysis.
Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 exercise groups based on energy expenditure (1000kcal/week or 2000 kcal/week) and intensity (vigorous vs. moderate). Groups included: vigorous intensity/high dose; vigorous intensity/moderate dose; moderate intensity/moderate dose; and moderate intensity/high dose. Participants were prescribed an energy restricted diet consisting of 1200 kcal/day or 1500 kcal/day and daily dietary fat intake between 20%-30% of total energy intake.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences between dose of exercise, moderate vs. high, (F=0.330, p=0.58) or level of intensity, moderate vs. vigorous (F=0.118, p=0.731) for change in hs-CRP. However, there was a significant decrease in hs-CRP from baseline to 6 months (F=25.553, p<0.0004); there was a significant 3 way interaction between energy expenditure, intensity, and Pre/Post differences (F=4.035, p=0.035), post hoc analysis revealed a significant decrease in hs-CRP in the moderate/high (p<0.0004) and vigorous/moderate groups (p=004). The results were unchanged after controlling for the change in body weight, body fatness, or body distribution. The change in hs-CRP was not significantly correlated with the change in body weight, percent body fat, waist circumference, or self-reported physical activity. hs-CRP at 6 months was correlated with 6 month measures of weight, BMI, percent body fat, and fat distribution (p<0.0004).
Conclusions: hs-CRP was reduced in overweight and obese women in response to a 6 month weight loss intervention that included a prescribed reduction in energy intake and a prescribed increase in exercise with a significant reduction in the moderate intensity/high dose and vigorous intensity/moderate dose groups. Further research is needed to determine what effect exercise and or weight loss may have on markers of inflammation
