Estimating the effect of hypothetical dietary protein interventions on changes in body composition of postmenopausal women over 3 years using data from the Women’s Health Initiative (Women's Health Initiative (WHI)) Study: an emulated target trial
Authors' conclusion
This hypothetical emulated intervention suggests that postmenopausal women who maintain a hypothetical total protein intake of at least 1.2 g/kg/day could experience beneficial changes in abdominal VAT, SAT, and overall body composition over three years, with even greater estimated benefits observed at an intake of 1.5 g/kg/day. These findings suggest that protein intake higher than guideline recommendations may better support healthier body composition and lower chronic disease risk in postmenopausal women.
Study context
- Population
- Postmenopausal women aged 50–79 enrolled in the WHI with repeated DXA scans
- Participants
- 3,789 women
- Exposure
- Hypothetical protein intake interventions vs no intervention
- Outcome
- Mean changes in body composition measures (abdominal VAT, SAT, other body composition measures)
- Follow-up
- 3 years
Methodological detailsWomen's Health Initiative, parametric g-formula, hypothetical interventions, 3-year follow-up
- Women's Health Initiative
- Parametric g-formula
- Hypothetical interventions
- 3-year follow-up
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Body composition with ≥1.5 g/kg/day protein vs no intervention
Each group vs no interventionEstimate (95% CI)
≥1.5 g/kg/d
difference in VAT −13.1 cm²(−18.9 to −7.3)
≥1.5 g/kg/d
difference in SAT −25.3 cm²(−39.7 to −11.0)
Each group vs no interventionEstimate (95% CI)
≥1.5 g/kg/d
difference in total body fat % −1.0 %(−1.7 to −0.3)
≥1.5 g/kg/d
difference in lean soft tissue % 0.9 %(0.3–1.6)
Each group vs no interventionDifference in body weight, kg (95% CI)
≥1.5 g/kg/d
−2.5(−3.7 to −1.2)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Estimating the effect of hypothetical dietary protein interventions on changes in body composition of postmenopausal women over 3 years using data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Study: an emulated target trial. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 9 January 2026. doi:10.
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