Assessment of anthropometric indices and blood lipid profile
Anthropometric indices (height, weight, waist and hip circumferences) were measured for each participant at the baseline (week 0) and at the end of the study (week 12). Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a stadiometer (Seca 214 portable stadiometer) without shoes. Weight was recorded to the nearest 0.1 kg in light clothes, using a digital scale (Seca 881, Germany). BMI was calculated as body weight (kg)/height squared (m2). WC was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm by a non-stretch measuring tape in standing position, between the lower rib and iliac crest (33).
To assess the serum lipids, 5 cc of blood sample was taken form participants after 12 hours of fasting at 7:00 – 8:00 A.M. The whole blood was centrifuged, and the obtained serum was kept at −70°C until the end of study for the further analysis. Serum concentrations of lipid profile including Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by the colorimetric method using commercial kits (Pars Azmoon Co., Iran). Serum leptin and adiponectin concentration were measured using ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) by IBL kit (Parsazmun Co., Iran).