The combined effects of probiotics and restricted calorie diet on the anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and hormone levels of obese women with food addiction: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Background and aim

Food addiction (FA) is an important contributor to obesity. Alterations in gut microbiota (GM) diversity and composition have also been proposed to play a pivotal role in obesity pathogenesis. This trial aimed to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on the anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and hormone levels of obese women with FA

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among obese women with FA. Participants (n = 62) received a restricted calorie diet (RCD) plus either probiotic, or placebo for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, eating behavior and appetite were assessed during the study period.

Results

Probiotics administration significantly reduced weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), and trunk fat percentage (TFP) compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). Also, a significant improvement was observed in eating behavior in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001).Serum levels of oxytocin increased and NPY decreased significantly in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.02, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, leptin level significantly decreased in the probiotic group compared to the baseline values (p < 0.001), while probiotics did not cause a greater significant reduction in leptin level, compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion

Multi-probiotic supplementation may have beneficial effects on anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and some appetite-regulating hormones in obese women with FA.

Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20131228015968N5.

KEYWORDS:

• Anthropometric indices
• food addiction
• leptin
• neuropeptide Y
• oxytocin
• obesity
• probiotics

Acknowledgment

We appreciate all participants and the staffs of the Nutrition research laboratory of the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, for their invaluable assistance. Also we thank our colleagues from Tak Gen Co. who provided probiotic and placebo capsules (Takgen®) that greatly assisted the research. Notes on contributors: Study concept and design: Saidpour; acquisition of data: Narmaki, Borazjani & Hariri, analysis and interpretation of data: Saidpour, Narmaki & Hekmatdust; drafting of the manuscript: Saidpour & Narmaki & Ataie-Jafari; statistical analysis: Ghorbani; study supervision: Saidpour.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (5660).