Women are generally less active than men; therefore, the search for an attractive form of physical activity that benefits women’s health is underway. This study aimed to investigate the influence of a 24-week physical activity program on body composition and indices of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism in sedentary, healthy women. The study comprised 18 female volunteers (mean age 35.0 ± 5.3 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a standardized seven-day food record. Before entering the program and after completing it, each participant’s body composition and indices of glycolipid metabolism were measured. Insulin resistance indexes were calculated based on the obtained data. After the physical activity program, significant decreases in body mass and composition, BMI, waist circumference, percentage of fat content, and fat mass were found. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), and resistin concentrations, as well as in the mean values of HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD. A substantial increase in adiponectin levels was also found. To conclude, the combined endurance–resistance physical activity program had a beneficial effect on body mass and composition and improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in normal-weight, healthy women. Therefore, we recommend this activity to sedentary young women to prevent obesity and metabolic disorders.

Adequate total and meal-specific protein intake is considered an important prerequisite to preserve appendicular lean mass (ALM) in older adults and to prevent sarcopenia. We analyzed the meal-specific protein intake across the main meals between participants with normal vs. low ALM to BMI ratio (ALM_BMI). 782 participants [59.6% men; median 69 (IQR: 65, 71) y] of the Berlin Aging Study II have been included in this analysis. ALM was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Low lean mass was defined as ALM_BMI using recommended sex-specific cut-offs. A 5-day nutritional protocol was used to assess total and meal-specific protein intake. Median total protein intake was 0.89 (IQR: 0.74, 1.05) g/kg/d body weight (BW) in participants with low ALM_BMI and 1.02 (IQR: 0.86, 1.21) g/kg BW in participants with normal ALM_BMI (P < 0.001). Daily protein intake at breakfast was similar in both groups [0.23 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.26) vs. 0.24 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.26) g/kg BW; P = 0.245]. Subjects with low ALM_BMI reported a lower protein intake at lunch and dinner compared with those with normal ALM_BMI [0.29 (95% CI: 0.27, 0.32) vs. 0.35 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.36) g/kg BW; P = 0.001 and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.35) vs. 0.36 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.37) g/kg BW; P = 0.027, respectively]. In a stepwise regression model, a higher total protein intake was positively associated with ALM_BMI [ß = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.13) P < 0.001]. The protein intake at dinner was positively associated with ALM_BMI [ß = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.19) P < 0.001] irrespective of protein intake at breakfast and lunch. This association disappeared after additional adjustment for total protein intake. Our data highlight an association of total protein intake and ALM_BMI in older adults. Although current data support an association of high ALM_BMI with protein intake at dinner in particular, this was not independent from total protein intake and the findings do not allow a conclusion on causality.