Obesity Study
For Introduction, see Health,
Weight & Obesity
Obesity Study - Results
In all, 100 patients (61 percent women) completed the treatment and 67
(71 percent women) completed the 2-y follow-up. The mean (s.d.) weight
loss was 12.5 (5.6) percent at the end of group therapy, 6.0 (7.1) percent
at 1 y, and 2.6 (7.5) percent at 2 y. At baseline, the mean (s.d.) score
for OP-scale was 61.9 (24.6). The mean scores on every RAND-36 scale were
markedly lower than in the Finns without chronic conditions. All the scales
in HRQL improved markedly during the treatment. During the follow-up,
all the scales started to return back towards baseline levels and at 2
y, only obesity-related psychosocial problems and physical functioning
were still improved relative to baseline. In categories of weight change
at 2 y (>/=10 percent weight loss, 0-9.9 percent weight loss, weight
gain), obesity-related psychosocial functioning, physical functioning,
and general health showed dose-response improvement with increasing weight
loss. A >/=10 percent weight loss at 2 y after treatment was associated
with clear improvement in obesity-related psychosocial problems, physical
functioning, physical role functioning, bodily pain, general health, mental
health, and vitality. A 0-9.9 percent weight loss was associated with
improvement in obesity-related psychosocial problems and physical functioning.
Weight gain was associated with improvement in obesity-related psychosocial
problems and social functioning. The study population was too small to
examine possible gender differences.
Obesity Study - Conclusions
Treatment with VLED and behaviour modification produces marked short-term
weight loss and clear improvement in all aspects of HRQL. At 2 y after
treatment, the average maintained weight loss is modest. However, one-third
of patients maintain >/=5 percent weight loss. Improvement in obesity-related
psychosocial problems and physical functioning is associated even with
&<10 percent of maintained weight loss. Since the pattern of HRQL
changes did only partly follow the pattern of weight change as expected,
other factors, such as the therapeutic effect of participating in the
weight loss program or increase in physical activity, may affect HRQL
responses.
Source: Kaukua J, Pekkarinen T, Sane T,
Mustajoki P. 1Helsinki University Central Hospital, Peijas Hospital, Department
of Internal Medicine, Vantaa, Finland. 2003. International Journal of
Obesity (2003)
Weight Loss News
Theories about how to lose weight, how to reduce obesity and general weight
management are constantly changing along with ideas about which weight
loss diet program is best and so forth. At present, however, a balanced
diet combined with regular exercise remains the favorite weight loss strategy
of most dietitians and weight loss experts. Return to Weight Loss Data
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