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. 2015 Feb;5(1):248.
doi: 10.4172/2165-7904.1000248. Epub 2015 Feb 27.

Successful Medical Weight Loss in a Community Setting

Douglas Carney  1 , Stephen Schultz  2 , Jeong Lim  3 , William Walters  1
Affiliations

Successful Medical Weight Loss in a Community Setting

Douglas Carney et al. J Obes Weight Loss Ther. 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that meal replacement calorie reduction combined with lifestyle change can more than double the weight loss seen with other diets. However, its widespread acceptance by physicians has been limited, perhaps waiting on evidence that patients are successful in keeping lost weight off.

Methods: Obese patients (108.4 ± 25.7 kg, BMI 38.1 ± 7.9 kg/m2) used a diet of meal replacements combined with weekly classes. While learning about nutrition, exercise, and accountability, patients tracked calorie intake and physical activity. Weight loss and retention rates for rapid weight loss and maintenance phases were measured. Weights then obtained years after treatment ended showed that patients were keeping lost weight off without any ongoing clinic intervention.

Results: Records of 714 patients treated in a medical weight loss practice from 2004 through 2012 were reviewed. For all patients, weight loss was 13.6 ± 8.3 kg, and 12.5% of initial weight. The 469 patients who completed 16 weeks of weight loss classes lost 16.7 ± 7.2 kg and 15.1%. 433 patients then enrolled in maintenance classes, and after 12 months had regained only 0.1 ± 9.1 kg and 0.4%. Follow up weights obtained from 173 patients more than 2 years after treatment ended showed persisting weight loss of 14.3 ± 13.7 kg and 12.9%. Final BMI was 32.7 ± 7.7 kg/m2.

Conclusion: In a medical weight loss program that used meal replacements to reduce calorie intake combined with weekly behavior change classes, weight loss was 16.2 kg and 14.4% for the 61% of all enrollees who completed 16 months of treatment. More importantly, over 2 years later, weight loss of 14.3 kg and 12.9% of initial weight persisted, and patients were not regaining their lost weight.

Keywords: Low-calorie diet; Meal replacements; Obesity treatment; Weight loss; Weight maintenance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure

Dr. Stephen R. Schultz is Health & Nutrition Technology, Inc.’s Chief Scientific Officer and Dr. Douglas M. Carney is Medical Director.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Weight Change in Weight Loss, Maintenance, and Follow-up phases.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Attrition rates. Subjects remaining in weight loss (left) and maintenance (right) over time.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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