Water Consumption Increases Weight Loss During a Hypocaloric Diet Intervention in Middle-aged and Older adults Elizabeth A. Dennis 1 , Ana Laura Dengo 1 , Dana L. Comber 1 , Kyle D. Flack 2 , Jyoti Savla 3 , Kevin P. Davy 1 , and Brenda M. Davy 1 1 Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA 2 Department of Health Sciences, Ferrum College, Ferrum, Virginia, USA 3 Department of Human Development and Center for Gerontology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA Abstract Water consumption acutely reduces meal energy intake (EI) among middle-aged and older adults. Our objectives were to determine if premeal water consumption facilitates weight loss among overweight/obese middle-aged and older adults, and to determine if the ability of premeal water consumption to reduce meal EI is sustained after a 12-week period of increased water consumption. Adults (n = 48; 55–75 years, BMI 25–40 kg/m 2 ) were assigned to one of two groups: (i) hypocaloric diet + 500 ml water prior to each daily meal (water group), or (ii) hypocaloric diet alone (nonwater group). At baseline and week 12, each participant underwent two ad libitum test meals: (i) no preload (NP), and (ii) 500 ml water preload (WP). Meal EI was assessed at each test meal and body weight was assessed weekly for 12 weeks. Weight loss was ~2 kg greater in the water group than in the nonwater group, and the water group (β = −0.87, P < 0.001) showed a 44% greater decline in weight over the 12 weeks than the nonwater group (β = −0.60, P < 0.001). Test meal EI was lower in the WP than NP condition at baseline, but not at week 12 (baseline: WP 498 ± 25 kcal, NP 541 ± 27 kcal, P = 0.009; 12-week: WP 480 ± 25 kcal, NP 506 ± 25 kcal, P = 0.069). Thus, when combined with a hypocaloric diet, consuming 500 ml water prior to each main meal leads to greater weight loss than a hypocaloric diet alone in middle- aged and older adults. This may be due in part to an acute reduction in meal EI following water ingestion. INTRODUCTION If recent trends continue, 86% of US adults will be overweight or obese by the year 2030 (1). Middle-aged and older adults (aged ≥40 years) are at increased risk for obesity and ~70% in this segment of the population are currently overweight or obese (2). Age-related weight gain may be attributed to several factors including a reduction in energy expenditure, a reduction in energy requirements, and an increased susceptibility to energy overconsumption (3–6). Obesity among older adults is associated with impaired physical function, increased morbidity and mortality, and greater health care costs (7–9). Thus, identifying successful weight management strategies for middle-aged and older adults has significant public health implications. Correspondence: Brenda M. Davy (bdavy@vt.edu). DISCLOSURE The senior author (B.M.D.) has received research funding for this investigation from the Institute for Public Health and Water Research NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Obesity (Silver Spring). Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 February 1. Published in final edited form as: Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010 February ; 18(2): 300–307. doi:10.1038/oby.2009.235. NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript