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. 2014:2014:453407.
doi: 10.1155/2014/453407. Epub 2014 Jul 13.

Retrospective long-term comparison of naturopathic fasting therapy and weight reduction diet in overweight patients

André-Michael Beer  1 , Lena Elisabeth Ismar  2 , Dominik Karl Wessely  2 , Tanja Pötschke  1 , Beate Weidner  1 , Karl Rüdiger Wiebelitz  3
Affiliations

Retrospective long-term comparison of naturopathic fasting therapy and weight reduction diet in overweight patients

André-Michael Beer et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014.

Abstract

In a follow-up study overweight and obese patients fasting according to Buchinger (modified) and a control group treated by a weight reduction diet in the context of an inpatient naturopathic complex treatment were compared using a questionnaire developed for a standardized phone interview 6.8 ± 1.1 years after inpatient treatment. During the inpatient treatment the fasting patients significantly more body weight, but at the time of the interview significantly more weight was gained again. 10.7% of the fasting patients and 31.9% of the control group lowered their weight at least 5% of their initial weight up to the interview. 42% of the fasting and 74% of the control group persistently changed their diet. The control group followed a significantly higher number of trained nutritional aspects. 21% of the fasting and 40% of the control group increased their leisure activity permanently. Continued improvement in quality of life was achieved by 16% of the fasting patients and 28% of the control group. The fasting therapy, carried out as part of the inpatient naturopathic complex treatment, turned out to be less suitable for the treatment of overweight and obesity compared to standard therapy. One likely determinant is the minor poststationary lifestyle modification.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Recruitment of study participants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean of body weight (kg) at the beginning of inpatient treatment, end of treatment, and at telephone interview. *Significant difference within the treatment groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency of weight reduction ≥5% of initial weight at the end of inpatient treatment, respectively, at the telephone interview. *Significant differences between the groups (P < 0.001).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Frequency of dietary changes after inpatient therapy. Significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Frequency of taught dietary aspects, which study participants observed who changed diet after inpatient therapy. *Significant differences between the groups.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Frequency of increased leisure time activity after inpatient therapy. Significant difference between the groups (P = 0.041).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Frequency of improvement of quality of life regarding body weight after inpatient therapy. Significant difference between the groups (P = 0.008).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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