Objective:
To evaluate the mechanism by which dairy foods promote weight and fat loss during dieting through examination of adipocyte size, gene expression and inflammatory markers.

Approach:
A controlled randomized clinical trial with 84 overweight and obese adult men and women. Dietary intervention consists of 500 calories, reduction in energy and either "controlled" diet or a diet with 3-4 servings of dairy foods. Baseline energy balance will be determined by fed meals at the WHNRC. Moderate energy restriction diets will be provided throughout a 12-week weight loss intervention. Resting metabolic rate, body composition, endocrine regulatory hormones and inflammatory markers will be examined at baseline and after 12-weeks of intervention. Gene expression and adipocyte histology will be assessed before and after intervention. It is hypothesized that dairy foods will result in greater weight loss and fat loss compared to the low-dairy controlled diet. Documents Trust with Dairy Management Inc. Log 29737.