Changes in diet and eating behavior along with excessive consumption of sugar or fat and a sedentary lifestyle are related to increased obesity and its associated comorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the type of macronutrients on specific health benefits associated with the weight loss in treating obesity. A total of 30 obese women (34.89±3.04 kg/m(2) and 43.3±5.34 years) participated in an interdisciplinary therapy approach to lifestyle change, which consisted of nutritional counseling, exercise, and psychological therapy for over a period of 26 weeks. The profile was obtained by anthropometric measurements and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Usual food intake was assessed with 3-day food record diaries and blood tests were used to determine metabolic and adipokines parameters. After therapy, there was significant reduction in all anthropometric and body composition variables. Food consumption also decreased while still providing adequate nutrient intake. There was significant improvement in LDL-cholesterol, PAI-1, leptin, CRP, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. Lower dietary carbohydrate and fat intake led to weight loss. The effect of lower carbohydrate intake on weight loss is related to changes in body composition and leptin levels. Weight loss by reducing fat intake modified the inflammatory process and cardiovascular risk, indicating dietary fat as an independent predictor factor of cell adhesion molecules. Therefore, decreasing dietary fat consumption had greater impact on the inflammatory process on obese individuals. Our results show that the type of macronutrient influences the health benefits associated with weight loss.
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