Value of Structured Meals for Weight Management: Risk Factors and Long-Term Weight Maintenance

Ditschuneit HH and Flechtner-Mors M. Obes Res. 2001;9:284S-289S.

Objective

To examine the changes in biomarkers of disease risk after long-term (51 months) reduced calorie intake and sustained weight loss.

Methods

One hundred overweight/obese patients (BMI >25.0 and <40 kg/m2) were randomly assigned in a prospective, two-arm, parallel intervention study for twelve weeks followed by a prospective, single-arm, four-year trial in a university-based hospital clinic. They were assigned to one of two dietary interventions for three months (Phase 1). Group A was prescribed an calorie-restricted diet of 1200 to 1500 calories/day using regular foods, and Group B was prescribed the same diet, but two of three meals daily were replaced with liquid meal replacements (Slim-Fast). After Phase 1, all patients were instructed to continue to follow a reduced-calorie diet and replace one meal and one snack with meal and snack replacements (Slim-Fast) for the succeeding four years (Phase 2). Food diaries were analyzed and reviewed monthly, as were body weight and blood pressure. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 3, 9, 15, 27, and 51 months and analyzed for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels.

Results

All one hundred patients completed phase 1 of the study, and body weight loss was achieved in both groups after three months (1.5+/-0.4% and 7.8 +/- 0.5% for Groups A and B, respectively); the biomarkers of disease improved only in Group B. After four years, 75% of the patients were evaluated. Total mean weight loss was 3.3+/-0.8% and 8.4+/-0.8% for Groups A and B, respectively. Both groups of patients showed significant improvement in glucose, insulin, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure; however, the patients in Group B had a more marked reduction of insulin and triglycerides. Cholesterol concentrations were reduced in patients with high initial cholesterol levels and maintenance of a 7% weight loss.

Conclusion

The diet plan using Slim-Fast liquid meal replacements resulted in greater weight loss than the self-selected diet composed of regular food. Liquid meal replacements are an effective treatment for overweight/obese subjects on a structured meal plan, both for weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Long-term maintenance of weight loss with meal replacements improves biomarkers of disease risk.

Return to: Previous Page

Back to: Articles and Abstracts