A weight-loss program adapted to the menstrual cycle increases weight loss in healthy, overweight, premenopausal women: a 6-mo randomized controlled trial

Background: Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle
influence energy intake and expenditure as well as eating preferences
and behavior.
Objective: We examined the impact of a diet and exercise weightloss
program that was designed to target and moderate the effects of
the menstrual cycle compared with the effect of simple energy restriction.
Design: A total of 60 healthy, overweight, premenopausal women
were included in a 6-mo weight-loss program in which each subject
consumed a diet of 1600 kcal/d. Subjects were randomly assigned
to either a combined diet and exercise program that was tailored
to metabolic changes of the menstrual cycle (Menstralean) or to undergo
simple energy restriction (control).
Results: Thirty-one women (19 Menstralean and 12 control women)
completed the study [mean 6 SD body mass index (in kg/m2):
32.0 6 5.2]. Both groups lost weight during the study. In an intentionto-
treat analysis, the Menstralean group did not achieve a clinically
significant weight loss compared with that of the control group
(P = 0.61). In per-protocol analyses, a more-pronounced weight
loss of 4.3 6 1.4 kg (P = 0.002) was shown in adherent Menstralean
subjects than in the control group.
Conclusion: A differentiated diet and exercise program that is tailored
to counteract food cravings and metabolic changes throughout the
menstrual cycle may increase weight loss above that achieved with
a traditional diet and exercise program in women who can comply
with the program. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as
NCT01622114.