Comparing the effects of meal replacements with an isocaloric reduced-fat diet on nutrient intake and lower urinary tract symptoms in obese men.

Background Lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS) in men are associated with obesity, particularly central obesity as measured by waist circumference ( WC), and may improve with weight loss. We aimed to compare effects of a meal-replacement based diet with isocaloric reduced-fat plan on LUTS and nutrient intake in obese Asian men. Methods Obese Asian [mean (range) body mass index of 32.9 (30.5-42.3) kg m^-2] men [mean (range) age 40.2 (30-61) years] were randomised to a reduced-fat (< 30% of energy) diet [conventional reduced-fat diet (CD) group; n = 23] or meal-replacement-based plan [meal replacement (MR) group; n = 23], to reduce daily intake by 2000 kJ for 12 weeks. Results CD and MR groups had statistically significant and similar reductions in weight (−2.6 ± 1.9 kg versus −4.2 ± 3.8 kg), overall LUTS severity measured with International Prostate Symptom Scale ( IPSS) scores (−1.71 ± 1.93 points versus −2.42 ± 2.12 points) and insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment ( HOMA) calculated from plasma glucose and insulin]. The MR group had significantly greater decreases in WC (−4.8 ± 3.3 cm versus −2.5 ± 2.3 cm), fat mass (−2.47 ± 3.63 kg versus −1.59 ± 2.32 kg), fat intake, plasma C-reactive protein, and in storage LUTS score (−1.59 ± 1.33 points versus −1.00 ± 0.87 points), which was associated with a decreased fat intake ( r = 0.48, P = 0.03). A decrease in overall IPSS score was associated with reductions in weight, WC and HOMA. Conclusions Weight loss as a result of CD or MR had similar efficacy in relieving LUTS. MR produced greater reductions in fat intake, adiposity and storage LUTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]