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Weight loss resistance: a further consideration for the nutritional management of obese Equidae.
Abstract: Evidence-based, weight loss management advice is required to address equine obesity. Changes in body mass (BM), body condition score (BCS), heart (HG) and belly circumference (BG), direct (ultrasonographic) and indirect (D(2)O dilution, bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA]) measures of body fat as well as indices of insulin resistance (IR) were monitored in 12 overweight (BCS ≥ 7/9) horses and ponies of mixed breed and gender for 16 weeks. Animals were randomly assigned to two groups (Group 1, n=6, BCS 7.6/9 ± 0.6, 489 ± 184.6 kg; Group 2, n=6, BCS 8.1/9 ± 0.6, 479 ± 191.5 kg). Daily dry matter intake (DMI) was restricted to 1.25% BM as one of two, near-isocaloric (DE ∼0.115 MJ/kg BM/day), forage-based diets (Group 1, 0.8% BM chaff-based feed: 0.45% BM hay; Group 2, 1.15% BM hay: 0.1% BM nutrient-balancer). Statistical modelling revealed considerable between-animal heterogeneity in proportional weight losses (0.16-0.55% of Week 1 BM weekly). The magnitude of weight loss resistance (WLR) or sensitivity to dietary restriction was independent of diet or any measured outset variable and was largely (65%) attributed to animal identity. Predicted rates of weight loss decreased over time. BCS and BIA were poor estimates of D(2)O-derived body fat%. Reciprocal changes in depths of retroperitoneal and subcutaneous adipose tissues were evident. Changes in BG were associated with losses in retroperitoneal fat and BM (r(2), 0.67 and 0.79). Indices of IR improved for 9/12 animals by Week 16. For obese animals, weight loss should be initiated by restricting forage DMI to 1.25% BM. Subsequent restriction to 1% BM may be warranted for WLR animals.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-10-30 PubMed ID: 23117030DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.09.020Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explores varying levels of weight loss resistance in overweight horses and ponies, seeking to better understand dietary adjustments that can holistically combat equine obesity. The researchers monitored changes in body mass, condition, and other physical and metabolic indicators as the animals underwent a limited forage-based diet.
Methodology
- The researchers focused on 12 overweight horses and ponies (body condition score, BCS, 7/9 or above). These animals were of varied breed and gender, and were monitored over a period of 16 weeks.
- The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, each receiving variations of a restricted, forage-based diet. The Group 1 diet focused on chaff-based feed and hay, while the Group 2 diet leaned more on hay and a nutrient-balancer. The amount of food intake was capped at 1.25% of body mass.
- Various physical and metabolic measures were observed, including body mass, body condition score, heart and belly circumference, and direct (ultrasound) and indirect (D(2)O dilution, bioelectrical impedance analysis) measures of body fat. Additionally, indices of insulin resistance were tracked.
Findings
- There was notable individual variability among the animals in terms of proportional weight loss, ranging from 0.16% to 0.55% of initial body mass each week. This shows that some equine subjects had a higher resistance to weight loss than others.
- The degree of weight loss resistance was not tied to any specific outset variable or the diet given. Instead, it was primarily determined by the animal’s identity and individual characteristics, with animal identity accounting for 65% of the observed variation.
- Predicted rates of weight loss lessened over time. Furthermore, body condition score and bioelectrical impedance analysis measures were found imprecise when estimating D(2)O-derived body fat percentage.
- Changes in the fat depth within the retroperitoneal area (located behind the abdomen’s peritoneum) and just below the skin were noted. In general, belly circumference changes correlated with ln loss of retroperitoneal fat and body mass.
- By the end of the study, 9 out of the 12 animals showed improved insulin resistance, thus indicating a positive shift in metabolic health.
Implications
- The study emphasizes the need for specific dietary restrictions in addressing equine obesity. A starting point could be limiting forage dry matter intake to 1.25% of body mass.
- However, adjusting the restriction to 1% may be necessary for animals showing high weight loss resistance.
Cite This Article
APA
Argo CM, Curtis GC, Grove-White D, Dugdale AH, Barfoot CF, Harris PA.
(2012).
Weight loss resistance: a further consideration for the nutritional management of obese Equidae.
Vet J, 194(2), 179-188.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.09.020 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. c.m.argo@liverpool.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Adipose Tissue
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Body Composition
- Body Size
- Diet / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diet therapy
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Insulin Resistance
- Intra-Abdominal Fat / physiopathology
- Male
- Obesity / diet therapy
- Obesity / physiopathology
- Obesity / veterinary
- Overweight / diet therapy
- Overweight / veterinary
- Subcutaneous Fat / physiopathology
- Weight Loss
Grant Funding
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Weinert-Nelson JR, Meyer WA, Williams CA. Yield, nutrient composition, and horse condition in integrated crabgrass and cool-season grass rotational grazing pasture systems.. Transl Anim Sci 2021 Oct;5(4):txab208.
- Johnson ACB, Biddle AS. A Standard Scale to Measure Equine Keeper Status and the Effect of Metabolic Tendency on Gut Microbiome Structure.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 1;11(7).
- Walshe N, Cabrera-Rubio R, Collins R, Puggioni A, Gath V, Crispie F, Cotter PD, Brennan L, Mulcahy G, Duggan V. A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:668120.
- Delarocque J, Frers F, Huber K, Feige K, Warnken T. Weight loss is linearly associated with a reduction of the insulin response to an oral glucose test in Icelandic horses.. BMC Vet Res 2020 May 24;16(1):151.
- Morrison PK, Newbold CJ, Jones E, Worgan HJ, Grove-White DH, Dugdale AH, Barfoot C, Harris PA, Argo CM. Effect of age and the individual on the gastrointestinal bacteriome of ponies fed a high-starch diet.. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0232689.
- Morrison PK, Newbold CJ, Jones E, Worgan HJ, Grove-White DH, Dugdale AH, Barfoot C, Harris PA, Argo CM. The equine gastrointestinal microbiome: impacts of weight-loss.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Mar 4;16(1):78.
- Fitzgerald DM, Anderson ST, Sillence MN, de Laat MA. The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies.. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0220203.
- Durham AE, Frank N, McGowan CM, Menzies-Gow NJ, Roelfsema E, Vervuert I, Feige K, Fey K. ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):335-349.
- Morrison PK, Newbold CJ, Jones E, Worgan HJ, Grove-White DH, Dugdale AH, Barfoot C, Harris PA, Argo CM. The Equine Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Impacts of Age and Obesity.. Front Microbiol 2018;9:3017.
- Bamford NJ, Potter SJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Influence of dietary restriction and low-intensity exercise on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in obese equids.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):280-286.
- Dougal K, Harris PA, Girdwood SE, Creevey CJ, Curtis GC, Barfoot CF, Argo CM, Newbold CJ. Changes in the Total Fecal Bacterial Population in Individual Horses Maintained on a Restricted Diet Over 6 Weeks.. Front Microbiol 2017;8:1502.
- Morrison PK, Harris PA, Maltin CA, Grove-White D, Argo CM. EQUIFAT: A novel scoring system for the semi-quantitative evaluation of regional adipose tissues in Equidae.. PLoS One 2017;12(3):e0173753.
- de Laat MA, Hampson BA, Sillence MN, Pollitt CC. Sustained, Low-Intensity Exercise Achieved by a Dynamic Feeding System Decreases Body Fat in Ponies.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Sep;30(5):1732-1738.
- Morgan R, Keen J, McGowan C. Equine metabolic syndrome.. Vet Rec 2015 Aug 15;177(7):173-9.
- Morrison PK, Bing C, Harris PA, Maltin CA, Grove-White D, Argo CM. Preliminary investigation into a potential role for myostatin and its receptor (ActRIIB) in lean and obese horses and ponies.. PLoS One 2014;9(11):e112621.
- Morrison PK, Bing C, Harris PA, Maltin CA, Grove-White D, Argo CM. Post-mortem stability of RNA in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and the tissue-specific expression of myostatin, perilipin and associated factors in the horse.. PLoS One 2014;9(6):e100810.
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