1. Introduction

1
Effect of a High-Protein Diet on Weight Loss,
Appetite, and Mood in Overweight and Obese
Children. Lauren C Humphrey, Roderick FGJ King
and Paul J Gately Leeds Metropolitan University
2. Objective
1. Introduction
Recent figures from England suggest that over 18
of boys and girls aged 2-15 years are obese.
To compare the effects of energy-restricted
high-protein (HP) or standard-protein (SP) diets
on weight loss and subjective appetite and mood
sensations in overweight and obese children
attending a residential weight-loss camp.
The prevalence of obesity in both children and
adults poses a major health risk such that the
World Health Organisation has described it as a
global epidemic. Increasing the protein
content of the diet can increase satiety and
reduce ad-libitum energy intake. Several studies
in adults have shown that replacing carbohydrate
with protein in low-fat diets (lt30 of energy)
enhances weight loss and is associated with
favourable changes in body composition and
specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Carnegie International Camp is a residential
weight-loss camp based in Leeds, UK. The aim of
the programme is to provide a safe, supportive
environment in which overweight and obese
children can reduce their body mass and improve
their health and well-being whilst having fun.
3. Methods
Participants 101 overweight and obese children.
Intervention An eight-week (max) programme of
physical activity, reduced-energy intake and
behaviour change education. Campers were
assigned to food groups based on individually
estimated energy requirements (min 1300
kcal/day, max 2800 kcal/day) and randomly
assigned to one of two isocaloric diets (SP 15
protein, 30-35 fat, 50-55 CHO HP 25 protein,
30-35 fat, 40-45 CHO). Assessments Campers
were assessed at the start and end of camp for
anthropometric and biochemical variables. Visual
analogue scales of appetite (hunger, fullness,
desire to eat) and mood (happiness, sadness,
tiredness) were completed on the first 3
consecutive weekdays of each week participants
attended the camp.
4. Results
Overall, campers lost 5.23.0 kg in body weight
(plt0.001), 3.32.5 in body fat (plt0.001) and
showed an improvement in all blood lipid measures
(plt0.001). The high-protein diet group had no
greater effect on BMI loss, or changes in
appetite or mood when compared to the standard
diet group. However, ratings of desire to eat
increased significantly over the duration of the
intervention (plt0.001), irrespective of
diet. Twenty-four hour urine samples indicated
that there were no significant differences in
urine variables (sodium, potassium and
creatinine) between standard and high-protein
diet groups from pre to post camp, indicating
that children experienced no adverse effects of
consuming a high-protein diet.
5. Conclusion
6. PhD Worthiness
Despite the large number of intervention
programmes reported in the literature, this to
our knowledge is the first study to investigate
responses to such dietary interventions in
overweight and obese children. The data
collected as part of this study will not only
address a gap in the knowledge but also provide
essential information for effective treatment
programmes for childhood obesity and help shape
interventions in the future.
This study has shown that consumption of a diet
containing higher protein did not confer any
greater impact on subjective appetite or mood in
overweight or obese children. Nor did it improve
weight-loss in this setting. Such findings are
contrary to those reported from some adult
studies. A significant increase in rated desire
to eat throughout the duration of the camp
indicates sensitivity to a prolonged negative
energy intake. Such findings would need to be
addressed within the home environment when food
is readily available, given the association with
desire to eat and increased food intake. Further
work is warranted to ascertain whether higher
levels of dietary protein (gt25 energy intake)
are feasible or effective in the treatment of
childhood obesity.
Lauren Humphrey, PhD Researcher Carnegie Weight
Management Leeds Metropolitan University Headingle
y Campus, Beckett Park Fairfax Hall, Leeds LS6
3QS Tel [phone]
Acknowledgement This research is supported by a
project grant from Glaxo Smith Kline Consumer
Health, UK