Comparing the Effects of Meal Replacements with Reduced-fat Diet on Weight, Sexual and Endothelial Function, Testosterone and Quality of Life in Obese Asian Men

Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in obese than in normal-weight men. Meal replacements (MRs) are useful weight-loss strategies. We randomized obese (body mass index 27.5 kg m(-2), waist circumference (WC) 90 cm) Asian men (mean age 40.5 years, range 30-61) to a conventional reduced-fat diet (CD) (n=24) or MR-based plan (n=24) to reduce daily intake by 400 kcal for 12 weeks. There were significantly greater reductions in weight (4.2 ± 0.8 kg), WC (4.6 ± 0.7 cm), calorie and fat intake in the MR group, compared with the CD group (2.5 ± 0.4 kg, 2.6 ± 0.5 cm). Erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function 5-item score) improved comparably in the MR (3.4 ± 0.7 points) and CD (2.5 ± 0.5 points) groups, as did the Sexual Desire Inventory score (5.5 ± 2.3 vs 7.7 ± 2.1 points), quality of life (36-item Short Form survey score), plasma testosterone and endothelial function (Reactive Hyperemia Index). Subjects were switched to or continued CD for another 28 weeks. Weight, WC and erectile function were maintained at 40 weeks. MR induces greater reductions in weight and abdominal obesity than conventional diet, and comparable improvements in sexual and endothelial function, testosterone and quality of life.