Abstract

Author(s): Quiles, L.1,2; Portolés, O.2,3; Sorlí, J. V.2,3; Miquel, M.1,2; Corella, D.2,3

Introduction: Various Studies have shown the efficacy of vegetarian diets in reducing obesity risk, although little data is available for Spanish Mediterra - nean population on the effect of vegetarian diet on short term weight loss in previously non-vegetarian individuals.

Aims: To study the effect on a Mediterranean population of a low-fat (20%) vegetarian diet on reducing body-weight and other anthropometrical measurements and body composition following a fifteen-day administration in strict interned conditions.

Methods: We have carried out a nutritional intervention study in volunteers consisting on the administration of a whole dietary menu. A strict internment was imposed for fifteen days. A low-fat lacto-vegetarian diet of 1900 Kcal per day was administered on a sample of 168 individuals (44 men, 124 women) whose baseline intake of fat was greater than 30% of energy. The influence of this diet was evaluated on the anthropometric parameters and body composition (weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body fat mass).

Results: The dietary intervention produced sta - tistically significant reductions both in men and in women, in weight (2,15+/-1,2 kg), BMI (0,77+/ -0,4 kg/m2), waist circumference (2,90+/-2,6 cm), hip circumference (2,04+/-1,9 cm) and waist-to-hip ratio (0,01+/-0,0).

Conclusion: The lacto-vegetarian diet model used in this dietary intervention probed useful in tackling overweight and obesity and presents advantages over other types of diet with greater ketogenic risk and lesser antioxidant contribution.