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Ready‐to‐eat Oat Cereal, as Part of a Reduced Energy Diet, Reduces Low‐density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Waist Circumference in Overweight and Obese Adults

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of consuming a whole‐grain ready‐to‐eat (RTE) oat cereal (containing 3 g/d of oat beta‐glucan), compared with low‐fiber control foods, during a 12‐week weight loss program. Recommendations included a low‐fat, portion controlled diet (~500 kcal/d deficit) and encouragement to increase physical activity in 144 free‐living, overweight and obese adults (body mass index 25.0‐45.0 kg/m2) with elevated low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C, mean baseline value was 155 mg/dL). During treatment, LDL‐C was reduced significantly more in the RTE oat cereal group vs. controls (‐8.7 vs. ‐4.3%, p=0.005). Total‐C (‐5.4 vs. ‐2.9%, p=0.04) and non‐HDL‐C (‐6.3 vs. ‐3.3%, p=0.05) were also lowered more with RTE oat cereal, while HDL‐C and triglyceride responses did not differ between groups. Weight loss was not different (‐2.2 vs. ‐1.7 kg, p=0.32), but waist circumference decreased more (‐3.3 vs. ‐1.9 cm, p=0.01) with RTE oat cereal than in the control condition. Significantly larger responses for waist, LDL‐C, total‐C and non‐HDL‐C were evident as early as week 4. These results indicate that consumption of a whole‐grain RTE oat cereal has favorable effects on plasma lipids and waist circumference when consumed as part of a weight loss program by overweight and obese men and women. Funded by General Mills Bell Institute of Health & Nutrition (Minneapolis, MN).