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Intermittent versus on-demand use of a very low calorie diet: a randomized 2-year clinical trial
Article first published online: 21 MAR 2003
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.2003.01131.x
1365-2796/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=cacbc88a827c8cece634c3d912e9e672c5a697b5 "Journal of Internal Medicine")
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How to Cite
Lantz, H., Peltonen, M., Ågren, L. and Torgerson, J. S. (2003), Intermittent versus on-demand use of a very low calorie diet: a randomized 2-year clinical trial. Journal of Internal Medicine, 253: 463–471. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.2003.01131.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 21 MAR 2003
- Article first published online: 21 MAR 2003
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- body composition;
- cardiovascular risk factors;
- obesity;
- treatment;
- VLCD;
- weight maintenance
Abstract. Lantz H, Peltonen M, Ågren L, Torgerson JS (Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden). Intermittent versus on-demand use of a very low calorie diet: a randomized 2-year clinical trial. J Intern Med 2003; 253: 463–471.
Objectives. To compare two different very low calorie diet (VLCD)-based weight maintenance strategies.
Design and setting. A randomized 2-year clinical trial performed at the Department of Body Composition and Metabolism, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.
Subjects. A total of 334 patients, body mass index (BMI) >30 kg m−2, aged 18–60 years.
Interventions. All the patients started with 16 VLCD weeks. Subjects in the intermittent group were then scheduled to use VLCD for 2 weeks every third month, whilst patients in the on-demand group were instructed to use VLCD whenever their body weight passed an individualized cut-off level. Irrespective of the treatment group, all the subjects were recommended a hypocaloric diet during VLCD-free periods.
Main outcome measures. Changes in body weight, body composition, anthropometric variables and cardiovascular risk factors.
Results. Completers in both groups maintained highly significant weight losses after 2 years: 7.0 ± 11.0 kg (6.2 ± 9.5%) in the intermittent group and 9.1 ± 9.7 kg (7.7 ± 8.1%) in the on-demand group (P < 0.001, ns between groups). Male completers in the on-demand group lost significantly more weight than men in the intermittent group, 14.5 ± 11.0 kg vs. 4.0 ± 10.5 kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Most cardiovascular risk factors improved during the first year, whilst anthropometric measures, insulin, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were also significantly improved after 2 years of treatment.
Conclusion. Clinically significant weight reductions were achieved after 2 years of VLCD-based treatment. The structure of VLCD treatment during the maintenance phase did not affect weight loss in the total study population, whilst male subjects might benefit from the VLCD on-demand strategy.