Effects of Different Dietary Interventions on Abdominal Fat Components, Quadriceps Muscles and Cardiometabolic Parameters

The study aims to evaluate the impact of different dietary interventions on body composition (abdominal fat components and quadriceps muscles) and cardiometabolic parameters. This is a randomized clinical trial study conducted in overweight adults, selected by voluntary adherence, in an outpatient clinic of a cardiology hospital. The sample was calculated based on data from a study with the Brazilian population, with the sample size calculated as a function of a mean difference (d) in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) after the interventions, standard deviation (s) and a significance level of 5% (z). To correct eventual losses, the number was increased by 20%. Four dietary interventions will be applied in the 6-month period: group with calorie restriction and balanced distribution of macronutrients (group 1); group with calorie restriction and low-carbohydrate diet (group 2); group with calorie restriction and low-fat diet (group 3) and group with collective nutritional guidance (group 4). Patients will be followed up monthly for the first 6 months to assess weight loss, analyze adherence to the diet therapy plan, reinforce nutritional guidelines, and monitor anthropometric measurements, abdominal adipose tissue, quadriceps muscles, and biochemical parameters. A reassessment will be performed at 12 months to analyze weight regain, analysis of anthropometric measurements, abdominal adipose tissue, quadriceps musculature and biochemical parameters. The evaluation of VAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and quadriceps musculature by ultrasound will be performed at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months of intervention. The present study is expected to clarify the effects that different dietary interventions produce over 3, 6 and 12 months on weight, abdominal fat deposits, quadriceps muscles and cardiometabolic parameters.