Objective: Obesity is a medical condition which arises as a result of unhealthy eating behaviours and poor diet quality that negatively impacts energy intake, consumption, and storage. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of 8-week probiotic use on Body Mass Index (BMI) and gastrointestinal system problems in overweight and obese women who follow a weight-loss diet.

Material and Method: 34 women with a BMI above 25 kg/m2 participated in this study. Both the study group (17 women-mean age 32.4±7.3) and control group (17 women-mean age 31.8±8.9) were given a weight loss diet (personalized diet according to the daily energy needs of the participants), exercise program (brisk walk for 30-50 minutes, 3-5 days a week) for eight weeks. In addition, the study group received oral probiotic support in this process. BMI and the frequency of gastrointestinal system problems such as constipation, gas, bloating, and indigestion in both groups were evaluated statistically at the initial, 4th and 8th weeks.

Results: BMI and gastrointestinal system problems of both groups were evaluated during 8 weeks of follow-up. At the beginning of the study and the 4th and 8th weeks were statistically significant for weight loss (p<0.05). At the end of the 4th week of the study, 70.6% of the study group and 41.2% of the control group did not experience any postprandial gas problem. At the end of the 4th week, regarding the postprandial gas problem, the results of the chi-square test performed between the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was concluded that diet and exercise were effective in weight loss in both groups and the use of probiotics can relieve postprandial gas problems.

Body mass ındex Probiotics Weight loss Obesity Follow-up studies