Weight Management and Diet
Weight Loss Study Introduction
Among health professionals there remains uncertainty about which interventions
are effective in the treatment of obesity and there is a need to provide
scientifically evaluated evidence regarding the efficacy of different
approaches for weight loss. Current clinical guidelines for the management
of obesity in Scotland recommend a 12-week weight loss period using an
individualized 600 kcal daily energy deficit diet (ED) to achieve moderate
weight loss. However this approach had not been formally evaluated in
a randomized controlled trial.
It is recommended that weight management
be undertaken in primary health care, community or commercial sectors.
Within these categories, the work place has shown promise as a location,
allowing access to new populations who may not otherwise seek weight loss
advice.
Weight Loss Study Aim
The main aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness, in terms
of weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, of the individualized daily
energy deficit diet with a 1500 kcal generalized low calorie diet (GLC)
over a 24-week period (12-weeks weight loss plus 12-weeks weight maintenance).
Weight Loss Study Methods
The location for this study was a large petrochemical work site. where
122 men aged between 18 and 55 years were recruited using electronic mail
and randomised to one of the two dietary approaches. One third were randomised
to an initial control period prior to receiving dietary advice. All subjects
attended for review every 2 weeks during the weight loss period and were
contacted by electronic mail at 2-week intervals during the weight maintenance
phase and anthropometric and dietary information requested.
Weight Loss Study Results
No difference was found between the diet groups in mean weight loss at
12 weeks. Mean weight loss was closer to the intended weight loss in the
ED group. The dropout rate was also lower than the GLC group. Mean weight
gain following 12 weeks weight maintenance was +1.1 kg. No between group
differences were found.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
The individualised ED approach was no more effective in terms of weight
loss than the GLC approach. However the energy deficit approach might
be considered preferable, as compliance appears greater with this less
demanding prescription. The weight maintenance intervention was designed
as a low input approach however weight regain was significant and weight
maintenance strategies require further development. Men, in general, are
characterised by central fat distribution, which significantly increases
their cardiovascular risk. At baseline, prior to intervention, the mean
waist circumference of subjects in both groups exceeded the "action
level 2" cut-off for men of 102cms indicating significant health
risks. The location of this study therefore not only accessed a population
new to weight management but also one at high cardiovascular risk.
Source: Leslie WS, Lean MEJ, Baillie HM,
Hankey CR. Weight Management: a comparison of existing dietary approaches
in a work-site setting. Int J Obes (2002) 26:1469-1475
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