(P07-029-20) Consuming an Energy-Restricted US Healthy-Style Eating Pattern Moderate or High in Protein Confers Comparable Changes in Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health

Objectives: Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrate consuming higher versus lower protein diets attenuates lean mass loss during energy restriction. No study to date has tested this phenomenon when consuming more dietary protein than prescribed as part of a US Healthy-Style Eating Pattern (USHEP). We sought to assess the effects of consuming a USHEP with either the recommended or a higher amount of protein during energy-restriction on body composition and fasting cardiometabolic disease risk factor changes.

Methods: Using a randomized, parallel-design, 51 men and women (mean ± SEM; age: 47 ± 1 y; BMI: 32.6 ± 0.5 kg/m²) consumed a controlled USHEP containing 750 kcal/d less than their estimated energy requirement for 12 wk. Participants were randomized to consume either 5 oz-eq/d or 12.5 oz-eq/d of protein foods. The additional dietary protein (7.5 oz-eq/d) from animal-based protein sources displaced predominantly whole and refined grains. Body composition (air displacement plethysmography) and fasting cardiometabolic health risk factors were measured at pre-, mid- (week 6), and post-intervention (week 12).

Results: Dietary protein intake did not affect any of the body composition or fasting cardiometabolic disease risk factors measured. Among all participants, over time, body mass (-6.2 ± 0.4 kg), fat mass (-6.9 ± 0.6 kg), and fat mass percent body mass (-5.3 ± 0.6%) decreased (all P < 0.001).  Lean mass (0.7 ± 0.5 kg) did not change and lean mass percent body mass (5.3 ± 0.6%) increased (P < 0.001). Fasting serum insulin (-4.2 ± 0.9 μU/mL), total cholesterol (-17 ± 3 mg/dL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-5 ± 1 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-7 ± 3 mg/dL), and triglyceride (-24 ± 6 mg/dL) concentrations, and seated systolic (-5 ± 1 mm Hg) and diastolic  (-5 ± 1 mm Hg) blood pressures, each decreased over time (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Improvements in body composition and cardiometabolic health in overweight adults can be achieved by consuming a US Healthy-Style Eating Pattern with either the recommended amount of protein or higher protein from animal-based sources during weight loss.

Funding Sources: The Beef Checkoff and American Egg Board-Egg Nutrition Center