Impact of Whey Protein‐Rich Higher‐Protein Diet on Body Weight and Composition Management in Middle‐Aged and Older Adults
Jung Eun Kima Ann Nutr Metab 2019;75(suppl 3):19
A mounting of evidence indicates that consuming higher-protein diet is an effective mean to manage body weight and composition in various energy states and exercise training conditions. Currently, there is considerable interest in the use of dairy proteins, whey protein in particular, as supplements or in conjunction with lifestyle changes to improve body composition in vulnerable population such as middle-aged and older adults.
Higher-protein diet with whey protein maintained the body weight and improved the body composition by losing fat mass during 9-month exercise training in overweight and obese middle-aged adults.
In addition, a 6-month intervention in mobility-limited older adults indicated that whey protein supplementation in combination with resistance exercise tended to promote greater increases in lean mass, midthigh cross sectional area, and muscle strength.
Of practical concern, there is a perception that whey protein supplementation may induce “bulkiness” in women.
Findings from a recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that whey protein supplementation improves body composition by modestly increasing lean mass
and this improvement is more robust during weight loss in women.
Collectively, in conjunction with lifestyle changes, consuming whey protein-rich higher-protein diet is an effective dietary strategy to improve body composition, especially in middle-aged and
older adults. Moreover, whey protein may be more beneficial for improving body composition when included as part of a weight loss program in women.