OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of weight loss on bone mass of obese adolescents submitted to a nutritional intervention based on a hypocaloric diet and nutritional advice over a nine-month-period. METHODS: Anthropometry, body composition, BMD and dietary intake were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-five adolescents, 78.2% females, within an average age of 16.6 (1.4) years old participated in the study. Sixteen participants who completed the study did not lose weight. The group that adhered to the nutritional intervention had a mean weight loss of 6.2 (4.6)% baseline. There was a significant increase in total BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) in those adolescents who did not lose weight, while increased BMC and bone area were verified in participants who lost weight, mainly when associated with body composition alterations while changing weight. CONCLUSION: The increment in bone mineral density, even throughout weight loss, has showed no negative effect on bone mass and has also emphasized the importance of nutritional improvement in total bone mass during adolescence.
Adolescent; Body composition; Bone mineral density; Diet; Weight loss; Obesity
