Weight Loss Maintenance
A dietary and behavioral program for the
treatment of obesity. A 4-year clinical trial and a long-term post-treatment
follow-up.
Weight Maintenance Study - Aim
To evaluate weight loss maintenance after 4 years of nonpharmacological,
nonsurgical obesity treatment, including a very low calorie diet (VLCD),
diet and behavioural support. Furthermore, to assess weight development
amongst completers and noncompleters beyond the active 4-year treatment
period. Setting: Two Swedish county hospitals.
Weight Maintenance Study - Subjects
A total of 113 patients were randomized to a 2-year treatment program
with or without an initial VLCD period. The 87 patients who completed
the 2-year program were offered the chance to continue a support program
for another 2 years. A total of 55 patients completed the entire 4-year
program.
Weight Maintenance Study - Interventions
All the patients took part in a comprehensive support program, including
a hypocaloric diet and behavioural support, either as single treatment
(non-VLCD group) or following the VLCD period (VLCD group).
Weight Maintenance Study - Results
Significant 4-year weight losses were found in both groups, 7.6 +/- 12.2
kg (VLCD group) and 6.3 +/- 8.5 kg (non-VLCD group). The completers had
maintained a weight loss of 3.3 +/- 10.7 kg 8 years after randomization.
After 6 years, the non-completers had gained 3.2 +/- 9.7 kg compared with
baseline. The difference in weight change between completers and non-completers
was highly significant.
Weight Maintenance Study - Conclusions
Highly significant weight losses can be maintained after a 4-year comprehensive
treatment program, including a hypocaloric diet and behavioural support.
An initial VLCD period did not significantly affect the long-term weight
loss. The posttreatment long-term weight loss was larger amongst completers
than amongst patients who did not complete the treatment.
Source: Lantz H, Peltonen M, Agren L, Torgerson
JS. Department of Body Composition and Metabolism, Sahlgrenska University
Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden. J Intern Med 2003; 254: 272-279.
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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