Context: Drinking lots of water is commonly suggested as a part of weight loss regimens. However, only few systematic studies have addressed this notion. In this study, the effect of drinking 1500 ml of water, over and above the daily water intake on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body composition of overweight subjects was assessed.
Aim: To evaluate the role of drinking excessive water in weight reduction and body fat reduction of overweight subjects.
Settings and design: This study was conducted on 50 overweight girls for eight weeks, during which they were instructed to drink 500 ml of water, three times a day, half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner, which was over and above their daily water intake.
Material and methods: Body weight was measured in kilograms (kgs). BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms, which was divided by the square of height in metres. Body composition score was calculated as a sum of skin fold thickness in millimetres at three different sites, which was measured by using skin fold calipers. Pre and post-study body weight, body mass index and body composition scores were measured.
Statistical analysis: SPSS, version 14.0.1 and paired t-test were used to find out the statistical significance of the results.
Results: The mean values of the pre-study and post-study body weight, body mass index and body composition scores were 65.86 kg and 64.42 kg, 26.7002 and 26.1224 and 79.626 mm and 76.578 mm respectively. All the three results were highly significant statistically.
Conclusions: The decrease in body weight, body mass index and body composition scores of overweight subjects at the end of study period establishes the role of water induced thermogenesis in weight reduction of overweight subjects.
Keywords: Body composition; Body mass index; Body weight; Overweight.