Physical activity and weight loss are independent predictors of improved insulin sensitivity following energy restriction

Objective The role of physical activity and the joint effect with sleep duration on insulin sensitivity (IS) during energy restriction followed by weight maintenance were determined. MethodsOne hundred and two subjects (28 males) (meanSD age: 409years; BMI: 31.9 +/- 3.0kg/m(2)) followed a very-low-energy diet for 8weeks, followed by a 44-week period of weight maintenance. Body composition (three-compartment model based on body weight, total body water, and body volume), physical activity (accelerometry), sleep (questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were assessed before the diet and at 8, 20, and 52weeks after the start. ResultsCompared to baseline, IS was improved significantly after 8weeks (P