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Meal replacements, reduced energy density eating, and weight loss maintenance in primary care patients: A randomized controlled trial
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Meal replacements, reduced energy density eating, and weight loss maintenance in primary care patients: A randomized controlled trial

Michael R Lowe, Meghan L Butryn, J. Graham Thomas and Maria Coletta
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), v 22(1), pp 94-100
Jan 2014
PMID: 23894101
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20582View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Objective To compare the presence or absence of meal replacements (MRs) and an energy density (ED) intervention to facilitate weight loss maintenance. Design and Methods A total of 238 overweight primary care patients (mean body mass index = 39.5 kg/m2) began the study; 132 completed the 12‐week weight loss phase. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four maintenance conditions formed by crossing the presence or absence of MRs (MR+/MR−) and of the ED program (ED+/ED−) during a subsequent 9‐month maintenance phase. Follow‐up assessments occurred 1 and 2 years after treatment termination. Results Participants initially lost 6.1 kg. Analyses of variance based on weight change from the beginning of the maintenance phase to the 2‐year follow‐up produced a significant interaction. All groups except ED+/MR− regained substantial weight during follow‐up; the ED+/MR− group regained significantly less weight than the control group at both follow‐up assessments. No significant effects of treatment were found for several variables that were expected to mediate these outcomes. Conclusions Because weight losses achieved in lifestyle change programs for obesity are rarely maintained, the superior outcome achieved by the ED+/MR− condition is notable. Nonetheless, methodological issues and inability to identify a potential mediator of this outcome make replication of this finding essential.

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30 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#5 Gender Equality
#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nutrition & Dietetics
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