Meal replacements are as effective as medications for weight maintenance
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the effectiveness of meal replacements in weight loss maintenance was examined.
Participants followed a liquid very low calorie diet (VLCD) for 12 weeks followed by 4 weeks of re-orientation to solid food. At week 16, the subjects were randomly selected to receive either meal replacements or Orlistat, both combined with a structured meal plan calculated to maintain weight loss. For one year, all subjects followed a weight management program that included topics such as lifestyle, physical activity and nutrition.
During the VLCD, the meal replacement group lost an average of 50.2 lbs and the Orlistat group lost an average of 49 lbs. During weight maintenance, there were no significant differences in physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake and pedometer steps between the groups. After one year, the meal replacement group had regained 5.9 lbs and the Orlistat group had regained 6.2 lbs.
Meal replacements and Orlistat were both effective in maintaining weight significantly below baseline levels over a year period of time. Meal replacements, therefore, may be a viable alternative to medications for weight maintenance.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 24, No. 5, 347-353 (2005)
Participants followed a liquid very low calorie diet (VLCD) for 12 weeks followed by 4 weeks of re-orientation to solid food. At week 16, the subjects were randomly selected to receive either meal replacements or Orlistat, both combined with a structured meal plan calculated to maintain weight loss. For one year, all subjects followed a weight management program that included topics such as lifestyle, physical activity and nutrition.
During the VLCD, the meal replacement group lost an average of 50.2 lbs and the Orlistat group lost an average of 49 lbs. During weight maintenance, there were no significant differences in physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake and pedometer steps between the groups. After one year, the meal replacement group had regained 5.9 lbs and the Orlistat group had regained 6.2 lbs.
Meal replacements and Orlistat were both effective in maintaining weight significantly below baseline levels over a year period of time. Meal replacements, therefore, may be a viable alternative to medications for weight maintenance.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 24, No. 5, 347-353 (2005)
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Wednesday, December 28, 2005
