Changes in Body Weight and Body Dimensions in Men Performing Work on a Low Calorie Carbohydrate Diet

J. Broek ¹, F. Grande ¹, H. L. Taylor ¹, J. T. Anderson ¹, E. R. Buskirk ¹, and A. Keys ¹

¹ From the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The effects of maintenance on low calorie carbohydrate diets were examined in reference to selected morphological, physiological and psychological characteristics. This report deals with changes in body dimensions and body weight observed in two experiments. In experiment 53, six men were maintained on 580 Cal/day for 12 days. In experiment 54, 13 men received daily 1010 Cal. for 24 days. Water was available ad libitum. Body weight decreased by a total of 5.9 kg in 53 and 7.6 kg in 54. Limb and trunk circumferences exhibited significant decrements during restriction (exp. 54). In recovery the abdominal circumference showed the largest gain (90% vs. 41% for the upper arm). Skin-fold measurements and soft-tissue roentgenograms indicated a reduction of 30–40% in the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer. Substantial differences in gain were observed at different sites. By comparing the negative energy balance with the weight loss, differences in the caloric equivalent of the loss were demonstrated, from about 3000 Cal/kg during the first 3 days in the 53 and 54 experiments to 8700 Cal/kg for the last 3 days in 54. These data, together with estimates of the composition of the loss derived from energy balance and nitrogen excretion, indicate that a large part of the early weight loss must be due to water. During recovery a greater absolute weight gain and greater share of water in this gain was observed in the first few days of refeeding.