Genetics, Metabolism and Weight Loss in Older, Obese Veterans

This study is designed to determine whether sequence variation in the lipoprotein lipase (LPQ) gene affects the amount of weight loss and metabolic responses during a hypocaloric diet treatment for overweight and obese (BMI=25-35 kg/m2), older (50-65 yrs), sedentary veterans.

Veterans who are 50-65 yrs, non-smoking, sedentary and weight stable with a BMI between 25-35 kg/m2 (120-150% desirable body weight) are recruited and screened via telephone, medical history, and physical exam. Exclusion criteria are: diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia (>400 mg/dl), history of cancer or myocardial infarction, clinical depression, renal, liver or hematologic disease, and medications that affect glucose or lipid metabolism (thiazides, estrogen replacement, beta-blockers). Changes in total and visceral body fat are measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry and computerized tomography, resting energy expenditure and fat oxidation rate by indirect calorimetry, and lipoprotein lipids by enzymatic assay. Glucose tolerance is assessed during a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test with measurement of glucose- and insulin levels every 30 minutes. LPL activity is measured in 3050mg pieces of subcutaneous abdominal and gluteal adipose tissue.

• 50-65 yrs, non-smoking, sedentary and weight stable with a BMI between 25-35 kg/m2 (120-150% desirable body weight) are recruited and screened via telephone, medical history, and physical exam.

Exclusion criteria:

• Diabetes,
• Hypertriglyceridemia (>400 mg/dl),
• History of cancer or myocardial infarction,
• Clinical depression,
• Renal, liver or hematologic disease, and
• Medications that affect glucose or lipid metabolism (thiazides, estrogen replacement, beta-blockers).