Effect of fiber supplement on weight loss and body composition in young adults from Mumbai, India

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Dietary fiber is Obesity is preventable.

To study the effect of fiber supplementation on weight loss and body composition.

An intervention study was conducted in 150 (75 males) adults aged 26.3±3.0 years. Dietary data, anthropometry and body composition were analyzed at baseline. Patients were then supplemented with 10 g of dietary fiber (Isabgol) daily for 2 months. After 2 months, anthropometry and body composition was assessed. Percentage change in anthropometry and body composition was calculated. Analyses were performed using SPSS software for Windows (version 16.0, 2007, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Independent Sample T Test was used to analyse P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Weight (64.5±4 kg), BMI (25±0.8 kg/m2) and body composition (body fat 28.5±6.1%, muscle mass 36.2±6 &, trunk fat 22.8±1.9% and limb fat 21.7±1.9%) at pre-intervention was significantly different as compared to post-intervention (weight 61.5±4.1kg, BMI 23.8±0.8 kg/m², body fat 24.5±6%, muscle mass 39.3±6%, trunk fat 21.7±1.9% and limb fat 13.3±1.8%)(p<0.05). Even when classified according to gender, post intervention values were significantly different from pre-intervention values (p<0.05). Percentage change in parameters post intervention was 4.96±1.84% for weight, 4.91±2.83% for BMI, 17.56±9.56% for body fat, 7.90±4.65% for muscle mass, 5.31±3.73% for trunk fat and 6.82±4.78% for limb fat. Males reduced significantly higher percentage of trunk fat as compared to females (p<0.05).

Significant change in body composition occurred post supplementation of isabgol(10g) on the study group. There was statistically significant decrease in truncal fat in males as compared to females due to fiber consumption level indicating better effect of intervention in males.