Effects of Diet Manipulation on Women in the Curves Program

The purpose of this study is to determine if a carbohydrate restricted, high protein, high fat diet (20% carbohydrate, 45% protein, 35% fat; CC-II) promotes more favorable changes in weight loss and health outcomes compared to a traditional high carbohydrate, low protein, low fat diet (55% carbohydrate, 15% protein, 30% fat; AHA) and the Curves moderate carbohydrate restricted, high protein, and low fat diet (30% carbohydrate, 45% protein, 25% fat; CC-I).

Inclusion criteria

• The participant is an apparently healthy female
• The participant is between the ages of 18 and 60

Exclusion criteria

• The participant is pregnant or nursing, or plans to become pregnant during the next 12 months or has been pregnant in the past 12 months
• The participant has uncontrolled metabolic disorder including known electrolyte abnormalities; heart disease, arrhythmias, diabetes, thyroid disease, or hypogonadism; a history of hypertension, hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurological disease
• The participant is currently taking thyroid, hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, or androgenic medications
• The participant has taken ergogenic levels of nutritional supplements that may affect muscle mass (e.g., creatine, HMB), anabolic/catabolic hormone levels (androstenedione, DHEA, etc.) or weight loss (e.g., ephedra, thermogenics, etc.) within the past three months
• The participant is willing to participate in a regular moderate exercise program