Influences of Weight Loss and Physical Exercise on Lipid Panel in Overweight Middle-Aged Men

Background: cardiovascular risk is reduced by weight loss and exercise, but their relative effects and independent significance are unclear. objectives: the effect of weight loss and the implementation of an exercise strategy on the lipid panel of overweight middle-aged men, who lead a sedentary lifestyle, was investigated. methods: eighty four men participated in this 12-week cross-sectional study. participants were randomly assigned to the four study groups: endurance sports, energy-restricted diet, endurance sports with boosted nutrition, and control. the energy reduction rate was the same (approximately 15% of the daily calorie requirement) for the group involved in endurance sports and for the group with an energy-restricted diet. the participants in the endurance sports with boosted nutrition performed the same exercises but remained in energy balance due to a 15% increase in calories during training. participant lipid panel profile and weight loss parameters were measured once at the start of the study, and again at the end. results: weight loss was the same between the endurance sports (-6.5 ± 0.6 kg) and energy-restricted diet (- 6.2 ± 0.5 kg) groups. whereas in the endurance sports with boosted nutrition (-0.8 ± 0.4 kg), and control (-0.1 ± 0.7 kg) groups, weight remained constant. levels of tc and ldl-c decreased in the endurance sports compared to the control group (p < 0.001 for both). this change was not observed in the energy-restricted diet group (p > 0.11). differences in tc and ldl-c levels were connected with changes in body mass (p < 0.01). in the endurance sports with boosted nutrition group, we noted a rise in hdl-c (p < 0.001). conclusions: a decrease in body weight caused by exercise reduced pro-atherogenic lipoproteins, while physical activity compensated with energy consumption increased hdl-c.