Comparative Effects of Diet, Exercise, and Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Anthropometric, Biochemical, and Appetite Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Women
Comparative Effects of Diet, Exercise, and Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Anthropometric, Biochemical, and Appetite Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Women
This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of diet, exercise, and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on body measurements, blood test results, and appetite in women with overweight or obesity.
A total of 75 women aged 19-45 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher were randomly assigned to one of three groups: diet alone, diet plus exercise, or diet plus EMS. All participants received an individualized energy-restricted diet. Participants in the exercise group also performed at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking daily, while participants in the EMS group received abdominal EMS twice per week for six weeks.
Body measurements, selected biochemical parameters, and appetite-related measures, including hunger, satiety, and desire to eat, were assessed before and after the six-week intervention. The study aimed to determine whether adding exercise or EMS to an individualized energy-restricted diet provides additional benefits for body composition, metabolic health, and appetite regulation in women with overweight or obesity.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
This randomized controlled study included 75 women aged 19-45 years with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). Eligible participants were randomly assigned to three intervention groups, with 25 participants in each group.
All participants received an individualized energy-restricted dietary program designed to provide an energy deficit of approximately 500 kcal/day. The dietary plans provided approximately 55-60% of total energy from carbohydrates, 12-15% from protein, and 25-30% from fat, with a target dietary fiber intake of 25-30 g/day. Participants attended weekly follow-up visits throughout the intervention.
Participants in the Diet Group received the individualized dietary intervention alone. Participants in the Diet + Exercise Group received the same dietary intervention and were instructed to perform at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking daily throughout the six-week intervention. Participants in the Diet + EMS Group received the dietary intervention together with localized abdominal electrical muscle stimulation. EMS was administered twice weekly on non-consecutive days for six weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Each EMS session lasted approximately 25 minutes.
Anthropometric assessments included body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass. Selected biochemical parameters were assessed using fasting blood samples. Appetite-related outcomes, including hunger, satiety, and desire to eat, were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Measurements were obtained at baseline and after completion of the six-week intervention. The primary objective was to compare changes in anthropometric outcomes among the three intervention groups. Additional evaluations examined changes in biochemical parameters and subjective appetite-related outcomes.