The Effects of Intensive Weight Reduction on Body Composition and Serum Hormones in Female Fitness Competitors

Juha J Hulmi, Ville Isola, Marianna Suonpää, Neea J Järvinen, Marja Kokkonen, Annika Wennerström, Kai Nyman, Markus Perola, Juha P Ahtiainen, Keijo Häkkinen, Juha J Hulmi, Ville Isola, Marianna Suonpää, Neea J Järvinen, Marja Kokkonen, Annika Wennerström, Kai Nyman, Markus Perola, Juha P Ahtiainen, Keijo Häkkinen

Abstract

Worries about the potential negative consequences of popular fat loss regimens for aesthetic purposes in normal weight females have been surfacing in the media. However, longitudinal studies investigating these kinds of diets are lacking. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 4-month fat-loss diet in normal weight females competing in fitness-sport. In total 50 participants finished the study with 27 females (27.2 ± 4.1 years) dieting for a competition and 23 (27.7 ± 3.7 years) acting as weight-stable controls. The energy deficit of the diet group was achieved by reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing aerobic exercise while maintaining a high level of protein intake and resistance training in addition to moderate fat intake. The diet led to a ~12% decrease in body weight (P < 0.001) and a ~35-50% decrease in fat mass (DXA, bioimpedance, skinfolds, P < 0.001) whereas the control group maintained their body and fat mass (diet × group interaction P < 0.001). A small decrease in lean mass (bioimpedance and skinfolds) and in vastus lateralis muscle cross-sectional area (ultrasound) were observed in diet (P < 0.05), whereas other results were unaltered (DXA: lean mass, ultrasound: triceps brachii thickness). The hormonal system was altered during the diet with decreased serum concentrations of leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), testosterone (P < 0.001), and estradiol (P < 0.01) coinciding with an increased incidence of menstrual irregularities (P < 0.05). Body weight and all hormones except T3 and testosterone returned to baseline during a 3-4 month recovery period including increased energy intake and decreased levels aerobic exercise. This study shows for the first time that most of the hormonal changes after a 35-50% decrease in body fat in previously normal-weight females can recover within 3-4 months of increased energy intake.

Keywords: body composition; exercise; fat loss; fitness; nutrition; sex hormones; thyroid hormones.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) The experimental design of the study. Two representative participants are shown from each group. The pre to mid time period lasted ~20 weeks during which the participants decreased their energy intake and the amount of exercise (see the Results Section), whereas the controls maintained their activity levels and nutrient intake. The mid to post period lasting ~18 weeks was a recovery period with increased energy intake back toward the baseline levels in the diet participants, whereas the controls maintained their energy intake and exercise levels (see the Results Section). (B) The measurement day example for each participant. The x-axis depicts AM-time (morning). Blood, blood sample; DXA, Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; InBody, bioelectrical impedance; Food, breakfast; US, ultrasound; BP, blood pressure; SF, skinfolds; Strength, muscle strength measurements.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A,B) Subcutaneous fat thickness around Vastus lateralis (VL) and triceps brachii muscles (n = 25–27 diet and 19–20 control participants). (C,D) VL muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and triceps brachii muscle thickness (n = 27 diet and 20 control participants). (E) Individual fat and lean mass percentage changes during the diet or pre to mid control period. Number at the x-axis depicts participant numbers ordered based on the amount of fat loss. DXA and bioimpedance values are averaged (n = 27 diet and 23 control participants). *–*** is significant (p < 0.05–< 0.001) difference to Pre and #–### is significant (p < 0.05–< 0.001) difference between the groups in the change. Group × time = ANOVA interaction effect p-value.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Serum hormone concentrations at baseline (Pre), after the diet/control period (Mid) and after that during the recovery period (Post). Out of individual panels, (A) depicts leptin, (B) testosterone, (C) estradiol, (D) free T3, (E) free T4, (F) TSH, and (G) cortisol. n = 27 diet and 23 control participants for all hormones except TSH and testosterone data, which is obtained from 22 controls. *–*** is significant (p < 0.05–< 0.001) difference to Pre and #–### is significant (p < 0.05–< 0.001) difference between the groups in the change. Significant (p < 0.05) group × time = ANOVA interaction effect p-values are shown. For TSH and cortisol there were no significant interaction effects (p = 0.198 and p = 0.332, respectively).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Individual free T3 at pre, mid, and post time-points for diet and control participants. Number at the x-axis depicts participant numbers ordered based on the pre-value. The red dotted lines limit the reference values in normal-weight healthy females. n = 27 diet and 23 control participants.

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