Abstract
Reduced-calorie diets are difficult to follow because they often require elimination
of certain foods, leading to poor compliance and limited success. However, a low-calorie,
nutrient-dense diet has the potential to accommodate a daily snack without exceeding
energy requirements, even during weight loss. This pilot study evaluated the effects
of a reduced-calorie diet including either a daily dark chocolate snack or a non-chocolate
snack on anthropometric and body composition measurements. In a randomized clinical
trial, 26 overweight and obese (body mass index ≥25 to ≤43) premenopausal women were
assigned to a reduced-calorie diet that included either a daily dark chocolate snack
or non-chocolate snack (n=13 per group) for 18 weeks. At baseline and end of study,
body weight and waist and hip circumferences were measured along with fat mass, lean
mass, and body fat percentage by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Energy and macronutrient
intakes were estimated from 4-day food records. Within- and between-group changes
from baseline were analyzed using paired t tests and independent t tests, respectively. Women in both snack groups reduced estimated daily energy intake
(P<0.001). Women in both the dark chocolate snack and non-chocolate snack groups, respectively,
experienced decreases (P<0.001) in body weight (−5.1 vs −5.1 kg), hip circumference (−5.8 vs −5.4 cm), waist
circumference (−5.7 vs −3.5 cm), fat mass (−3.9 vs −3.6 kg), and body fat percentage
(−3.4% vs −3.1%), with no change in lean mass. Improvements in anthropometric and
body composition measurements among overweight and obese premenopausal women can be
achieved with a reduced-calorie diet including either a daily dark chocolate snack
or non-chocolate snack.
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Biography
K. E. Piehowski is a graduate research assistant, Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Biography
S. M. Nickols-Richardson is an associate professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Biography
A. G. Preston is a nutrition scientist, The Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA
Biography
D. L. Miller is director of nutrition, The Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 7,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
