Weight Loss with Meal Replacement and Meal Replacement Plus Snacks: A Randomized Trial

Poston WSC, Haddock CK, Pinkston MM, Pace P, Karakoc ND, Reeves RS, Foreyt JP. Int J Obes. 2005;29(9):1107-1114.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of snacking on weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight individuals within the context of a meal replacement (MR) weight loss program, and to evaluate the effects of snacking on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk.

Methods

A total of 100 overweight participants (BMI 25 to 30) were randomized based on pre-study snacking status to receive either MR alone (Slim•Fast) or MR plus snacks (MRPS) (Slim•Fast + snacks) for 24 weeks. Women and men were instructed to limit their daily calorie intake to 1200 calories and 1500 calories, respectively. Those receiving the MR program were instructed not to snack while those in the MRPS program were told to snack three times per day. All participants were asked to use a minimum of 2 Slim-Fast products a day.

Results

A completers analysis at 12 and 24 weeks demonstrated a significant time effect for weight loss, indicating that all participants lost significant amounts of weight regardless of group assignment. The average weight loss across groups was 4.6 kg. There were also significant improvements across all groups among completers for systolic blood pressure (p=0.047), cholesterol (p=0.001), LDL (p=0.001), glucose (p=0.004) and insulin (p=0.001) at week 12, and glucose (p=0.001) and insulin at week 24 (p=0.003).

Conclusion

The addition of snacks to meal replacements did not have a negative effect on weight loss or cardiovascular disease risk factors when compared to a standard meal replacement program alone. Participants' preferences for snacking did not affect their response to treatment.

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