Effects of the Curves® fitness & weight loss program on body composition & resting energy expenditure

693 sedentary women (47±12 yrs, 163±7 cm; 92±17 kg; 45±4% body fat) were assigned to a control group (C), an exercise group (E); or, a high carbohydrate or a high protein diet group for 10-weeks. Diets consisted of 1,200 kcal/d for 1-wk and 1,600 kcal/d for 9 wks. Diets were 55% CHO, 15% P, and 30% F (HC) or 7-15% CHO, 55-63% P, and 30% F (HP). Subjects in the exercise groups participated in a supervised Curves fitness program 3-d per wk. DEXA body composition and REE measurements were obtained at 0 & 10 wks and were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Data are presented as means ± SD changes from baseline for the C, E, HC, and HP groups, respectively. Subjects who dieted experienced a significantly greater (p<0.001) loss in scanned total mass (-0.4±2.2; -0.4±2.1; -2.9±3.6; -3.8±4.0 kg), fat mass (-0.4±2.0; -0.7±1.8; -2.3±2.8; -3.0±3.3 kg), and body fat (-0.3±1.9; -0.7±1.6; -1.3±2.1; -1.6±2.9 %). Weight loss and fat loss in the HP group was significantly greater than the HC group although changes in perc...