Compliance of a Small Convenience Sample and Efficacy of Short Term Modified Carbohydrate Diet on Weight Loss in Overweight College Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine overweight students’ compliance on low and moderate carbohydrate diets and its influence on weight loss. The 28 day study was divided into two experimental periods of 14 days each. For the first 14 days, Group 1 (n = 6) received LC diet (30 grams carbohydrate/day with ad libitum intake of protein and fat), and group 2 (n = 8) received MC diet (60 grams carbohydrate/day with ad libitum intake of protein and fat). After 14 days, there was a crossover of the diets. Two random 24-hour diet records, urinary ketones, and daily emotional and physical well-being journals evaluated participants’ dietary compliance. Height, weight, body mass index, and urine ketones were assessed at baseline, days 14 and 28. A 2 × 2 ANOVA was conducted to examine the difference between groups and to determine if a difference existed from baseline to the end of the diet period. During the study period, ir- respective of carbohydrate levels, a vast majority of participants had above or below the recommended intake of carbo- hydrates, indicating non-compliance due to various reasons. During each experimental period, although weight loss differences between groups over time did not exist, there was a significant weight loss within subjects over time (p < 0.01). Presence of urinary ketones during the dietary interventions were not statistically significant. In conclusion, mod-ified carbohydrate diets were effective with weight loss; however participants were non-compliant with their de- fined dietary protocols.