Eureka! Institutional Repository

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of a short-term low calorie Mediterranean diet and low calorie high protein diet on body composition and basic metabolism in overweight young adults. The sample consisted of 20 overweight young volunteers, 12 women and 8 men, 23.1 ± 4.3 years, body weight 78.7 ± 13.08 kg, body fat percentage of 26.02 ± 8.1% and sedentary lifestyle.The sample was randomized into 2 groups, one of which received Mediterranean diet (35% fat 15% protein, 50% carbohydrates) and the other high protein diet (20% fat, 30% protein, 50% carbohydrates). The duration of the intervention was 6 weeks. All participants followed a monthly diet program, subjected to measurements which concern their body perimeters (weight, height etc.) and body composition, at the beginning and in the end of the intervention. The selection criteria for the sample were as follows: 1) BMI≥25 kg / m2 , 2) healthy subjects, 3) adults aged 19-33 years. The diets compiled were low calorie diet, specifically -700 kcal less than the individual's energy needs, as calculated by spirometry. Personalized diets were prepared with duration of intervention of 6 weeks. The assessment of overall health and dietary intake was carried out with a complete dietary history, which included a 3-day recording and a food frequency questionnaire. At the same time, human measurements were taken and the basic metabolism and body composition of each subject was calculated. Significant differences were found between the groups, for the parameters of lean mass, fat mass and basic metabolism (p <0.05). Almost, all the parameter of the body composition was significantly reduced in both groups. Greater loss of total fat, visceral fat and weight was observed in the group following a Mediterranean diet. The resulting conclusions are that eventually both models of low calories diets, Mediterranean and high protein diet, reduce body weight. More important benefits to body composition and basic metabolism appear to be caused by following a Mediterranean diet, and the short-term low calorie high protein diet seems not to improve body composition and the basic metabolism of overweight young adults