WEIGHT LOSS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS: RATIONAL APPROACH AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Obesity is considered a major epidemic of the 21st century in many countries including Romania. Often, obesity is correlated with oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular problems, which on the long-term increases the risk to diabetes and heart failure. The chances of long-term successful weight loss are enhanced by exercise and the sustained exercise is recommended as a non-invasive approach for the prevention and management of modern civilization diseases. The aim of the retrospective study was to monitor the evolution of body weight and some indicators that reflected the weight status of young and middle-aged adults, who exercised in an organized manner in gyms in the city of Iasi (Romania) by following the evolution of anthropometric parameters from the monitoring sheets of subjects who performed physical exercises in two gyms in Iasi. Material and methods: Data were extracted on socio-demographic aspects (sex, age, level of education, occupation) and physical status (height, weight, body perimeters) at the beginning of the organized physical exercises regimen and after a certain period of regular exercises. Results: Moreover, the respondents followed a caloric restrictive diet, using high protein bars to replace one of their meals. The average weight loss rate was -0.83 +/- 0.48 kg/month, higher in men (-1.12 kg/month, maximum 2.9 kg/month) than in women (-0.69 kg/month, maximum 3 kg/month). Conclusions: Strict diet and exercise regimen monitorization may have a better impact on weight loss, than allowing a free choice of hypocaloric diet and a standard exercise program. However, all available data shows that reducing overweight has long-term benefits on oxidative burden for obese individuals.