ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Obesity and its associated metabolic consequences such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease are a global epidemic. Conventional treatment of obesity is daily calorie restriction which many patients find challenging. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is an emerging alternative although very limited scientific evidence is available. Alternatively, brisk walking (BW) has been shown to reduce mortality risks. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of TRF (16 hour/day of fasting) and investigate the additional effects of BW with TRF (16 hour/day of fasting) in overweight and obesity management. Methods: Thirty-six (n=36) overweight and obese participants were enrolled equally into three different groups according to their preferences in this 16- week prospective experimental study; Group A (TRF combined with BW), Group B (TRF alone) and Group C (control group maintaining their lifestyle). Data collection was conducted at the beginning and end of the study for statistical analysis. Results: All Group A and Group B participants showed significant reductions in body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage, visceral fat level, whole body subcutaneous fat percentage, trunk subcutaneous percentage, legs subcutaneous percentage and arms subcutaneous fat percentage as compared to their control counterparts (Group C) (all p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in all anthropometric measurements of Group A participants compared to Group B counterparts. Conclusion: TRF (16 hour/day fasting) can be adopted in weight reduction management of overweight and obese patients. BW for 16 weeks combined with TRF renders no additional effects in overweight and obesity management.
ABSTRACT
Objective · To explore the effects of brisk walking on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and autonomic nerve activity of male elderly with hypertension in community-based health centers in Shanghai. Methods · A total of 630 elderly men received brisk walking treatment (>10000 steps/d) voluntarily, who were selected from six community-based health centers in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Among them, 210 people stick to training for 12 weeks. According to whether suffering from hypertension, the people were assigned to hypertension intervened group (intervention group, n=110) and normal intervened group (control group 1, n=100). Blood pressure, BMI, heart rate and autonomic nerve activity before and after the training were compared. Results · After 12 weeks of training, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and sympathetic nerve activity of intervention group were significantly lower than those before the training (P0.05). Conclusion · Brisk walking treatment lasting for 12 weeks can decrease blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in elderly men with hypertension. It is worthy to be popularized in the community.