1. A randomized controlled trial of a weight loss maintenance program in adults with obesity: the WLM3P study.
- Author
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Pereira V, Barreiros-Mota I, Cortez F, Castela I, Teixeira D, Calhau C, Camila Dias C, Moreira-Rosário A, and Silvestre MP
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Female, Adult, Middle Aged, Body Composition, Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted methods, Body Mass Index, Treatment Outcome, Waist Circumference, Obesity therapy, Obesity diet therapy, Weight Loss, Weight Reduction Programs methods
- Abstract
Background/objectives: The escalating obesity epidemic necessitates effective, sustainable weight loss (WL) and maintenance strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Weight Loss Maintenance 3 Phases Program (WLM3P) in achieving a clinically significant long-term weight loss (WL) (≥5% initial WL at 18 months) in adults with obesity compared to a standard low-carbohydrate diet (LCD)., Subjects/methods: In this two-phase trial, 112 participants targeting initial WL (0-6 months) and subsequent maintenance (7-18 months) were randomly assigned to either WLM3P or LCD groups. Outcomes assessed included change in body weight (kg, %), improvements in body composition, and metabolic profile., Results: Of 112 randomized participants, 69% (n = 77) completed the study. At 18 months, WL in the WLM3P group (n = 40) was 15.5 ± 8.3% compared to 9.6 ± 8.5% in the LCD group (n = 37) (p < 0.001). The odds ratio of achieving WL ≥ 10% and ≥15% were significantly higher in the WLM3P group. Complete-case analysis revealed significantly greater improvements in BMI, body fat mass, visceral fat area, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, HDL, and triglyceride/HDL ratio in WLM3P than in LCD. No serious adverse events were reported., Conclusion: Both programs effectively promoted clinically relevant WL and its maintenance. However, the WLM3P program was more successful in helping participants achieve greater WL targets of ≥10% and ≥15%, along with other clinical benefits, after an 18-month intervention., Trial Registration Number: NCT04192357., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2024
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