Metabolic Response to Food Restriction in Military-Eligible Women, with a Gender Comparison
Abstract
Two major series of investigations are being undertaken to explore the metabolic responses of women who meet military standards for body-weight and percent body-fat to the nutritional stressors of food restriction. A comparison of their responses is being made with those occurring in men, who also meet the standards established by the military. The first series (Series 1) has been devoted to the temporal (progressive) changes in lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism that occur during a short-term (3 day) fasting period. Data obtained so far for leucine kinetics, nitrogen output, and fatty acid kinetics do not reveal any significant differences, either qualitatively or quantitatively in the metabolic response to an acute total food lack in women versus men. This series of studies will be completed pending further analysis of samples obtained. Work is now underway on the second set of studies. The first phase of this 3-week hypercaloric intake/metabolic study involves the participation of both women and men who receive a hypocaloric diet for 21 days to achieve a 900 Kcal daily dietary deficit that is based on an equal restriction of both lipid and carbohydrate but with keeping protein content at a relatively generous intake of 1.2 g/kg/day. Body composition, metabolic and physical and mental performance changes are being monitored to assess whether there are gender differences to partial and more prolonged energy restriction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA340804
Entities
People
- Vernon R. Young
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology