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  • Original Article
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Weight loss and long-term follow-up of severely obese individuals treated with an intense behavioral program

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 488–493 (2007)Cite this article

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 26 February 2007

Abstract

Objective:

To review weight loss and maintenance for severely obese individuals enrolled in intensive behavioral weight loss program using very-low or low-energy diets.

Design:

Chart review of consecutively treated patients between 1995 and 2002 seen at three weight loss centers.

Subjects:

One thousand five hundred and thirty one patients with severe obesity (⩾40 kg/m2) treated in three cities (‘Study Group’). Of these, 1100 completed the 12-week core curriculum (‘Completer Group’). Weight loss ⩾100 lbs (>45 kg) was seen in 268 patients (‘100-Pound Group’).

Measurements:

Charts were reviewed for baseline characteristics, weekly weights, follow-up weights and side effects.

Results:

In the Study Group, average weight loss±s.e. for 998 women was 23.9±0.6 kg (18.5% of initial body weight (IBW)) and for 533 men was 36.0±1.0 kg (22.5%) over 30 weeks. For Completers, average weight loss for women was 30.8±0.6 kg (23.9%) and for men was 42.6±1.1 kg (26.7%) over 39 weeks. In the 100-Pound Group, average weight loss for women was 58.2±1.2 kg (41.5%) in 65 weeks and for men was 65.7±1.5 kg (37.5%) in 51 weeks. Side effects, assessed in 100 patients losing >45 kg, were mild to moderate in severity. Severe adverse events unrelated to the diet were noted in 5% of patients and during weight loss 1% had elective cholecystectomies. Follow-up weights were available for 86% of Completers at an average of 72 weeks with average maintenance of 23 kg or 59% of weight loss; follow-up weights were available for 94% of the 100-Pound Group at an average of 95 weeks with average maintenance of 41 kg or 65% of weight loss maintained.

Conclusions:

Intensive behavioral treatment with meal replacements is a safe and effective weight-loss strategy for selected severely obese individuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky and Health Management Resources Weight Management Program at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    J W Anderson

  2. Health Management Resources, Boston, MA, USA

    L Grant, L Gotthelf & L T P Stifler

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  1. J W Anderson
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  2. L Grant
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  3. L Gotthelf
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  4. L T P Stifler
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Correspondence to J W Anderson.

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Anderson, J., Grant, L., Gotthelf, L. et al. Weight loss and long-term follow-up of severely obese individuals treated with an intense behavioral program. Int J Obes 31, 488–493 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803423

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803423

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