The Effects of Mediterranean Diet and Hight-Intensity Interval Training on Conventional Biomarkers of CVD in Overweight and Obese Women: A Controlled Trial

Background: Dyslipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance are two major endothelium-aggressive factors that frequently coexist with obesity and cardiovascular diseases. As Mediterranean diet (MD) and High intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, we tried to evaluate their effects on serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HbA1C in obese and overweight women.Methods: Forty-seven participants aged 34.43 ± 7.22 years old were assigned into 4 groups of MD, HIIT, MD+HIIT, and control group. The interventions were carried out for 8 weeks and consisted MD without calorie restriction and/or HIIT exercise on cycle ergometer. Lipid profile parameters and HbA1c were measured before and after the intervention period. Results: HbA1C significantly decreased in all intervention groups. Total cholesterol decreased significantly only in MD+HIIT group. TG, HDL, and LDL changes was not significant in any of the studied groups.Conclusion: HbA1c seems to be more reactive to dietary and physical activity improvements while lipid profile parameters seem to be more resistant. Moreover, while considering the non-significant changes, a combination of MD+HIIT had the most favorable effects on LDL-C and TG levels.