The influence of calcium consumption on weight and fat following 9 months of exercise in men and women.

BACKGROUND

There is some evidence that calcium consumption improves weight loss during energy restriction but the effects of calcium consumption in conjunction with chronic exercise are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to determine the degree to which calcium consumption influences weight and fat weight change as a result of 9 months of verified supervised exercise in the absence of energy restriction.

METHODS

Participants were 50 previously sedentary, overweight and moderately obese men (n=20) and women (n=30). Exercise of moderate intensity was performed for 45 min/d, 5 d/wk, under supervision. Diet intake was ad libitum and was measured for energy, macronutrient and micronutrient composition at baseline, 4 and 9 months by use of observer recorded weighed plate waste and multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall procedures.

RESULTS

Average calcium consumption was 987 +/- 389 mg/day for men and 786 +/- 276 mg/day for women. Weight change over the 9 months was -4.6 +/- 4.6 kg for men and 0.2 +/- 3.3 kg for women. Calcium consumption was associated with weight change (r =-0.47, p<0.05) in men. The calcium to protein ratio was associated with weight change (r=0.56) and fat weight change (r=-0.53) in men. There was no observed association between calcium and weight or fat weight change in women.

CONCLUSION

Weight and fat weight loss as a result of nine months of moderate intensity exercise may be improved by increased calcium consumption in men but was not observed in women.