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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Jun 3:12:1396598.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1396598. eCollection 2024.

Sugary snack restriction enhances body composition improvement in overweight women engaging in non-face-to-face walking during COVID-19

Youngjun Lee  1   2 , Nahyun Kim  2 , Seunghwan Go  2 , Jisu Kim  3   4 , Jonghoon Park  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Sugary snack restriction enhances body composition improvement in overweight women engaging in non-face-to-face walking during COVID-19

Youngjun Lee et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: This study assesses the impact of dietary modification, specifically sugary snack restriction, in conjunction with a brisk walking program on overweight management in young overweight women, with a focus on changes in body composition and glucose metabolism.

Method: An 8-week randomized controlled trial was conducted amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing a remote intervention approach to comply with health guidelines and ensure participant safety. The study's remote nature highlights adaptability in health interventions during challenging periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-one overweight Korean women aged 20-39, with an average BMI of 24.6, were selected for the study. They were divided into two groups: one engaging in brisk walking and the other combining this exercise with a sugary snack restriction, demonstrating the study's focus on comparative intervention efficacy.

Results: The exercise-only group showed notable reductions in glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR (p < 0.05), and total cholesterol levels (p < 0.01). In contrast, the group that combined exercise with dietary modification displayed more pronounced improvements in body weight, fat mass, and waist circumference (p < 0.05). This differential outcome emphasizes the added benefit of integrating dietary control with physical activity.

Discussion: The findings suggest that adding a dietary component, particularly a sugary snack restriction, to an exercise regimen can significantly enhance the effectiveness of overweight management in young women. This study underscores the importance of holistic lifestyle interventions that combine dietary and physical activity modifications for improved health outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; body composition; exercise; glucose metabolism; overweight; sugar; walking; young women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comprehensive flowchart of the study design.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Trends in physical activity levels among participants during the experiment for ExC group and ExN group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of changes in body composition components for ExC group and ExN group before and after participating in the intervention program. (A) Changes in body weight. (B) Changes in fat free mass. (C) Changes in body fat percent. (D) Changes in WC. Values are mean ± SD, * <0.05 vs. baseline, ** <0.01 vs. baseline, *** <0.001 vs. baseline, # <0.05 vs. ExC.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of changes in body glucose metabolism biomarkers for ExC group and ExN group before and after participating in the intervention program. (A) Changes in glucose. (B) Changes in HOMA-IR. (C) Changes in insulin. (D) Changes in TC. Values are mean ± SD, * <0.05 vs. baseline, ** <0.01 vs. baseline, *** <0.001 vs. baseline, # <0.05 vs. ExC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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