Very-Low-Calorie Diets and Sustained Weight
Loss
Weight Loss Diet Study - Aim
To review of the literature on the topic of very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs)
and the long-term weight-maintenance success in the treatment of obesity.
Weight Loss Diet Study - Methods
A literature search of the following keywords: VLCD, long-term weight
maintenance, and dietary treatment of obesity.
Weight Loss Diet Study - Results
VLCDs and low-calorie diets with an average intake between 400 and 800
kcal do not differ in body weight loss. Nine randomized control trials,
including VLCD treatment with long-term weight maintenance, show a large
variation in the initial weight loss regain percentage, which ranged from
-7 percent to 122 percent at the 1-year follow-up to 26 percent to 121
percent at the 5-year follow-up. There is evidence that a greater initial
weight loss using VLCDs with an active follow-up weight-maintenance program,
including behavior therapy, nutritional education and exercise, improves
weight maintenance.
Weight Loss Diet Study - Conclusions
VLCD with active follow-up treatment seems to be one of the better treatment
modalities related to long-term weight-maintenance success.
Source: Nutrition Research Institute (NUTRIM),
Maastricht University. 2003
Weight Loss Methods
The science of weight loss and obesity management is constantly evolving,
along with research into weight loss drugs, supplements and gastric bypass
surgery. At present, however, a balanced diet combined with regular exercise
remains the favored weight management strategy of most weight loss experts. Return to Weight Loss Data
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