PURPOSE

This study evaluate effects on measures of stress/mood, cortisol, body weight, and body composition

 

METHOD

Fifty subjects (42 women and 8 men) were recruited to participate in a 8-week lifestyle program of stress management, nutrition intervention, exercise, and Citrus PMF supplementation. All participants were self-identified as “high stress” with historical holiday weight gain. Program was conducted from week prior to Thanksgiving to week after New Year’s Day. Before and after the 8-week program, we measured: body weight (BW), body fat percentage (BIA via RJL system), waist circumference, Profile of Mood States, and salivary cortisol (Salimetrics, State College, PA). Paired Student’s t-tests were used to assess differences between pre/post measures. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. Data are expre sed as mean + SD.

Participants met weekly for group educational seminars

– Stress management - yoga, guided imagery, deep breathing, etc.

– Exercise - customized by CPT - 5d/wk (3 aerobic/2 strength)

– Nutrition - based on RMR for no more than 500 kcal/d deficit

– Supplementation - multivitamin/mineral, citrus flavonoids, etc…

– Evaluation - identification of stressful events and interventions

 

RESULTS:

46 (40 women and 6 men) out of 50 participants completed the program (91% completion rate), suggesting that the program was easy to follow and not overly restrictive . Results showed that the overall lifestyle program led to slight reduction in body weight (0.6kg) and waist circumference (1.3cm).

Participants also experience improvement in global mood state score (-19.7%) and reduction in saliva cortisol level (-18.7%).

 

 

Global Mood State Score Improved by 19%, indicating 19% reduction in tension, 40% reduction in depression, 41% reduction in anger, 29% increase in vigor, 41% reduction in fatigue, and 14% reduction in confusion.

 

 

Although the body weight loss was not significant (0.6kg), body composition revealed that the supplementation of PMF following SENSE lifestyle program help to reduce body fat by 5%, reduce fat mass by 1.9kg and increase lean mass by 1.3kg.

 

 

 

CONCLUSIONS

Cortisol/stress exposure has been associated with increased appetite, obesity, and abdominal adiposity. Control of cortisol/stress would be expected to reduce appetite and enhance weight loss (metabolic effect) – and perhaps to improve compliance with the 8-wk diet and exercise regimen (behavioral effect). Results of this 8-week weight loss program suggest that a comprehensive stress management, exercise, nutrition, and Citrus PMF supplementation regimen (SENSE) delivers positive changes in mood, cortisol, body weight, body fat, and waist circumference - even during the “high-stress” holiday period - and that weight gain during this time of year is not “inevitable”